{"id":40546,"date":"2020-09-17T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-18T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-449959"},"modified":"2023-07-26T15:19:58","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T19:19:58","slug":"boldly-go-nasas-new-space-toilet-offers-more-comfort-improved-efficiency-for-deep-space-missions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/boldly-go-nasas-new-space-toilet-offers-more-comfort-improved-efficiency-for-deep-space-missions\/","title":{"rendered":"Boldly Go! NASA\u2019s New Space Toilet Offers More Comfort, Improved Efficiency for Deep Space Missions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It\u2019s the space-age old question: how do astronauts go to the bathroom in space? The most basic human biological processes becomes challenging off-planet due in part to the lack of gravity. NASA is launching a new space toilet, the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), to the <a href=\"http:\/\/nasa.gov\/station\" rel=\"noopener\">International Space Station<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wallops\/2020\/press-release\/watch-the-september-29-antares-launch-from-wallops\">Northrop Grumman\u2019s 14th contract resupply mission<\/a> in September. Another UWMS unit will be installed in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration\/systems\/orion\/index.html\">Orion<\/a> for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/nasa-s-first-flight-with-crew-important-step-on-long-term-return-to-the-moon-missions-to\">Artemis II flight test<\/a> that will send astronauts on a 10-day mission beyond the Moon and back.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/uwms_diagram_web_feature_v3_10.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"347\" height=\"522\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/uwms_diagram_web_feature_v3_10.jpg?w=347\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"ISS Universal Waste Management System during environmental testing, with component labels\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/uwms_diagram_web_feature_v3_10.jpg 347w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/uwms_diagram_web_feature_v3_10.jpg?resize=199,300 199w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/uwms_diagram_web_feature_v3_10.jpg?resize=266,400 266w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\"> <strong>Credits: NASA<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The \u201cUniversal\u201d in UWMS is key: the central design concept can be easily integrated into different spacecraft and life support systems. On platforms like the space station where astronauts live and work for extended time periods, UWMS will feed pre-treated urine into a regenerative system, which recycles water for further use. For shorter duration missions, like Artemis II, UWMS also works with a system where waste is not pre-treated with chemicals and is simply stored for disposal. The toilet was designed to address astronaut feedback about comfort and ease of use. It also features a 65% smaller and 40% lighter build than the current space station toilet. Improved integration with other components of the space station water system will aid in recycling more urine, which, yes, the astronauts do drink after it is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5ZYQMRucmS0\" rel=\"noopener\">filtered and processed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe recycle about 90% of all water-based liquids on the space station, including urine and sweat,\u201d explains NASA astronaut Jessica Meir. \u201cWhat we try to do aboard the space station is mimic elements of Earth\u2019s natural water cycle to reclaim water from the air. And when it comes to our urine on ISS, today\u2019s coffee is tomorrow\u2019s coffee!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/universal-waste-management-system-toilet-stall-02.27.19.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"383\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/universal-waste-management-system-toilet-stall-02.27.19.png?w=383\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Dual toilet stall installed on the space station. \" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/universal-waste-management-system-toilet-stall-02.27.19.png 383w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/universal-waste-management-system-toilet-stall-02.27.19.png?resize=300,294 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/universal-waste-management-system-toilet-stall-02.27.19.png?resize=50,50 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 383px) 100vw, 383px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">For privacy, the toilet is located inside of a stall just like in a public restroom on Earth. The dual-stall configuration that you see here has already been installed on the space station and will house the Waste Hygiene Compartment which is currently in use on the space station and UWMS during this technology demonstration. <strong>Credits: NASA<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The regenerative life support system on the space station is critical to reduce the need to launch supplemental water from Earth. Initial lunar missions will be shorter in duration, so these complex systems may not be necessary. Roundtrip missions to Mars, however, will take about two years and there will be no opportunities to top off the water supply. NASA\u2019s goal is to reach 98% recycling rates before the first human missions aboard a proposed Mars transport vehicle. The space station is currently the only in-space test location to validate long-term life support and recycling systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How do space toilets work? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In the absence of gravity, space toilets use air flow to pull urine and feces away from the body and into the proper receptacles. A new feature of the UWMS is the automatic start of air flow when the toilet lid is lifted, which also helps with odor control. By popular (astronaut) demand, it also includes a more ergonomic design requiring less clean-up and maintenance time, with corrosion-resistant, durable parts to reduce the likelihood of maintenance outside of the set schedule. Less time spent on plumbing means more time for the crew to spend on science and other high-priority exploration focused tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The crew use a specially shaped funnel and hose for urine and the seat for bowel movements. The funnel and seat can be used simultaneously, reflecting feedback from female astronauts. The UWMS seat may look uncomfortably small and pointy, but in microgravity it\u2019s ideal. It provides ideal body contact to make sure everything goes where it should.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1523\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A team member at Johnson Space Flight Center demonstrates lifting the urine hose out of its cradled position like a crew member \" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg 4754w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg?resize=300,223 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg?resize=768,571 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg?resize=1024,762 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg?resize=1536,1142 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg?resize=2048,1523 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg?resize=400,298 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg?resize=600,446 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg?resize=900,669 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg?resize=1200,893 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jsc2019e070463.jpg?resize=2000,1488 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A team member at Johnson Space Flight Center demonstrates lifting the urine hose out of its cradled position like a crew member would for use. A funnel (not shown) is attached to the open end of this hose and can then be easily replaced or removed for disinfection. <strong>Credits: NASA<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The UWMS includes foot restraints and handholds for astronauts to keep themselves from floating away. Everyone positions themselves differently while \u201cgoing,\u201d and consistent astronaut feedback indicated that the traditional thigh straps were a hassle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Toilet paper, wipes, and gloves are disposed of in water-tight bags. Solid waste in individual water-tight bags is compacted in a removable fecal storage canister. A small number of fecal canisters are returned to Earth for evaluation, but most are loaded into a cargo ship that burns up on re-entry through Earth\u2019s atmosphere. Currently, fecal waste is not processed for water recovery, but NASA is studying this capability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u201cGoing\u201d beyond Earth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In space, every part of the water cycle is key for survival and advances in technology can make a pivotal difference in mission efficiency and success. As we prepare to return humans to the Moon with <a href=\"http:\/\/nasa.gov\/artemis\" rel=\"noopener\">Artemis<\/a> and look forward to the first human mission to Mars, life support systems will play a major role in keeping our astronauts healthy and safe as they live, work, and learn farther from Earth than ever before. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s the space-age old question: how do astronauts go to the bathroom in space? The most basic human biological processes becomes challenging off-planet due in part to the lack of gravity. NASA is launching a new space toilet, the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), to the International Space Station on Northrop Grumman\u2019s 14th contract resupply mission [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":35392,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[3190,2801,2656],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[10438],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Boldly Go! NASA\u2019s New Space Toilet Offers More Comfort, Improved Efficiency for Deep Space Missions","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/boldly-go-nasas-new-space-toilet-offers-more-comfort-improved-efficiency-for-deep-space-missions\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/boldly-go-nasas-new-space-toilet-offers-more-comfort-improved-efficiency-for-deep-space-missions\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/uwms_diagram_web_feature_v3_10.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/uwms_diagram_web_feature_v3_10.jpg"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"NASA"}],"creator":["NASA"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Humans in Space","Commercial Resupply","Commercial Space"],"dateCreated":"2020-09-18T02:00:00Z","datePublished":"2020-09-18T02:00:00Z","dateModified":"2023-07-26T19:19:58Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Boldly Go! NASA\u2019s New Space Toilet Offers More Comfort, Improved Efficiency for Deep Space Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/boldly-go-nasas-new-space-toilet-offers-more-comfort-improved-efficiency-for-deep-space-missions\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/uwms_diagram_web_feature_v3_10.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2020-09-18T02:00:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Humans in Space,Commercial Resupply,Commercial Space\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"NASA\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":5,"time_ago":"4 years","featured_image":{"id":35392,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/uwms_diagram_web_feature_v3_10.jpg","title":"uwms_diagram_web_feature_v3_10","alt":"ISS Universal Waste Management System during environmental testing, with component labels","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40546"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40546"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40546\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":405070,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40546\/revisions\/405070"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40546"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40546"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=40546"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=40546"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=40546"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}