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Spacewalking astronauts now allowed to consume their urine in space

Astronaut excursions away from the International Space Station (ISS) involve intricate challenges, augmented by the biological necessities of the human organism.

,   and  Administrator
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Space explorers now authorized to consume their urine while conducting extravehicular activities
Space explorers now authorized to consume their urine while conducting extravehicular activities

Spacewalking astronauts now allowed to consume their urine in space

The International Space Station (ISS) is home to a groundbreaking urine collection and recycling system, designed to operate effectively under microgravity conditions. This nearly closed-loop Water Recovery System (WRS) recycles between 93% and 98% of all water, including urine, making it a crucial component for sustaining human life in space.

At the heart of this system is the Urine Processor Assembly (UPA), which uses vacuum distillation with a centrifuge to manage liquid-gas separation in microgravity. This innovative approach overcomes the challenges unique to space environments, ensuring the safety and efficiency of crew consumption [1][2].

The purified water then undergoes further filtration, passing through additional beds and a high-temperature catalytic reactor to remove organic compounds and microbes. The result is water often purer than tap water on Earth, which is reused for drinking, food preparation, and oxygen generation [1][2].

Continuous testing and improvements, such as the Exploration ECLSS Brine Processor System, aim to push water recovery efficiency even higher by extracting water from concentrated brine residue [3]. Reliability has improved over time, with ongoing adjustments maintaining operational success [2].

The system collects water from multiple sources, including urine, hygiene wastewater, cabin air condensation, maximizing resource recovery [1][3]. This approach is particularly beneficial for long-duration and deep-space missions where launching large volumes of water from Earth is impractical.

In addition, the ISS's regenerative life support approach, combining efficient on-board recycling with supply chain resupply, serves as a blueprint for future exploration missions [1][3].

For astronauts during spacewalks, the new system could transform the practice of managing urinary needs. The research team has developed a filtration device, approximately 38 centimeters high and 23 centimeters wide, that transforms urine into drinking water [4]. The device features a moisture sensor in a silicone cup under the genitals that detects urine and triggers a vacuum pump, drawing the urine into the filtration device worn on the astronaut's back [4].

The new system could potentially reduce the need for disposable diapers during spacewalks and improve comfort and health for astronauts. Initial laboratory tests have shown that the device is effective in removing the main components of urine and reducing its salt content [4].

The research team, led by experts in space technology, has published a paper about their new device in the journal Frontiers in Space Technology [5]. If the ground tests are conclusive, the system could be tested during real spacewalks from the ISS.

The new system is a significant development in space technology, potentially improving the comfort and health of astronauts during spacewalks. Its potential benefits extend to long-term missions such as future trips to the Moon or Mars. However, the effectiveness of the device under microgravity conditions similar to those encountered in space has not been verified yet.

References:

[1] NASA. (2021). Water Recycling on the Space Station. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/1089.html

[2] Space.com. (2021). ISS Water Recycling System Recycles 93% of Waste. Retrieved from https://www.space.com/33648-iss-water-recycling-system-recycles-93-percent-waste.html

[3] NASA. (2021). ISS Water Recovery System. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/1101.html

[4] New Scientist. (2021). Urine recycling system could revolutionise space travel. Retrieved from https://www.newscientist.com/article/2269121-urine-recycling-system-could-revolutionise-space-travel/

[5] Frontiers in Space Technology. (2021). A Space Suit Integrated Urine Collection and Recycling System. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2021.691240/full

  1. The Water Recovery System (WRS) on the International Space Station (ISS) uses technology to recycle water from various sources, such as urine and hygiene wastewater, demonstrating a remarkable approach in space-and-astronomy and health-and-wellness.
  2. The ISS's urine processor assembly (UPA) employs vacuum distillation with a centrifuge to separate liquids and gases efficiently in microgravity, showcasing science at its most innovative in the realm of fitness-and-exercise and health.
  3. Future exploration missions, inspired by the ISS's regenerative life support approach, plan to incorporate similar research into technology that may enhance space-and-astronomy and health-and-wellness, improving the sustainability and safety of long-duration missions.
  4. Under the guidance of space technology experts, a recent development aims to recycle urine into drinking water, transforming the practice of managing astronauts' needs during spacewalks for the benefit of their comfort and health-and-wellness, as well as facilitating space-and-astronomy missions like future trips to the Moon or Mars.

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