NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

Relevant Technical 

Requirements

Water – Human 

Consumption

OCHMO-TB-027

Rev C

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 1, Rev C

[V1 3003] In-Mission Preventive Health Care

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2, Rev D

[V2 3006] Human-Centered Task Analysis

[V2 6026] Potable Water Quality

[V2 6109] Water Quantity

[V2 6110] Water Temperature 

[V2 6039] Water Dispensing Rate

[V2 6040] Water Dispensing Increments

[V2 6046] Water Quality Monitoring

[V2 6051] Water Contamination Control

[V2 7052] Stowage Location

[V2 8001] Volume Allocation

[V2 11029] LEA Suited Hydration

[V2 11030] EVA Suited Hydration

Executive Summary

Water is necessary for our bodies' proper 

hydration, our health, and a full active life. In 

spaceflight, water (including quantity and 

quality) is a critical resource that needs to be 

carefully managed for crew health and safety. 

In the context of human spaceflight, water has 

a variety of uses to support crew health 

including hydration, food rehydration, and 

personal hygiene. Being well hydrated during 

operations is absolutely critical as dehydration 

can result in decrements in decision-making, 

concentration, and physiology of the crew. This 

Technical Brief focuses on the water required 

for human consumption during spaceflight 

missions.

From: NASA image and Video Library
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-027

Water – Human Consumption

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Background

Distribution and Functions of Water

Water is found mainly inside the cells of the body, especially muscle cells. 

Water serves many important roles in the body including:

• Aiding in digestion and absorption of nutrients

• Carrying and distributing nutrients, metabolites, hormones, and other 

materials around the body and within cells

• Aiding in excretion of wastes

• Maintaining blood circulation in the body

• Maintaining body temperature

• Acting as a lubricant between bodily structures and forming mucous

• Acting as a protective shock absorber, such as for the brain

• Aiding with memory and attention

Risks of Inadequate Water System: 

• Dehydration 

• Renal Stones

• Orthostatic Intolerance1

• Urinary Retention

• Headaches

• Abnormal Cardiac Rhythm

• Inadequate Nutritional Intake2

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Rev C 2

A loss of 2.5% of your body weight in water will 

result in performance decrements, impairing 

decision-making and concentration, and a 35% 

reduction of physical performance potential. 

Signs and symptoms of dehydration include:

• Urine output reduced

• Reduced physical performance

• Headache and feeling ill

• Difficulty concentrating and confusion

• Sleepiness

• Temperature regulation dysfunction

The primary ways in which you may become 

dehydrated, or in need of additional body fluids, are by:

• Inadequate water intake

• Exercising for over 60 minutes3

• Exercising or working in the heat, cold, or at altitude

• Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine

• Medications4 Source: The Special Operations Forces Nutrition Guide

Houston, We Have a Podcast: Interview with 

ISS Program Lead for Exploration Life Support 

Systems, Laura Shaw 

https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/HWHAP/recy

cling-water-and-air

1. OCHMO-TB- 019 Orthostatic Intolerance Technical Brief

2. OCHMO-TB-013 Food and Nutrition Technical Brief

3. OCHMO-TB-031 Exercise Overview Technical Brief

4. OCHMO-TB-006 Pharmaceuticals Technical Brief
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-027

Water – Human Consumption

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Background

3

Source: The Special Operations Forces Nutrition Guide

NASA-STD-3001 technical requirements 

for water intake (see page 4 for details 

and overlay on graph):

 2.5 L/day for direct consummation 

and for rehydration of food (black 

line)

 Extra 0.24 L/hour for EVA operations 

(red box) 

Apollo Skylab Shuttle ISS (E1-13) ISS (E14-25) ISS (E26-37)

# Astronauts 33* 9 32 19 19 17

Water L/day ~ 1.6

+/- 0.2

~ 2.8 

+/- 0.5

~ 2.2 

+/- 0.7

~ 2 

+/- 0.5

~2.1 

+/- 0.4

~ 2.3 

+/- 0.6

Average Water Intake on Past Spaceflight Programs (range overlaid on graph above)

• Intake includes water directly consumed and water used to rehydrate food

• For Apollo, data was only based on one mission (n of 3); assumed to be average for all 

missions

• E stands for Expedition, ~6 month missions on International Space Station (ISS)

• Data adapted from Human Adaptation to Spaceflight, The Role of Nutrition, Smith, Scott, M. 

et al, NP-2014-10-018-JSC

11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-027

Water – Human Consumption

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Reference Data

4

Technical 

Requirement

Quantity

(quantities are 

mutually independent)

Temperature

Hot Nominal Cold

Potable Water for 

Hydration

Minimum 2.5 L (84.5 fl

oz) per crewmember per 

day

(allocation to include 600 mL 

per meal per crewmember to 

be available as Hot Water)

between 68 oC 

(155 oF) and 79 

oC (175 oF) **

between 18 oC 

(64 oF) and 27 

oC (80.6 oF)

maximum 

temperature of 

16 oC (60 oF)

Potable Water Quantity 

for Personal Hygiene Mission dependent between 29 oC (85 oF) and 46 oC (115 oF)

Potable Water Quantity 

for Eye Irrigation

Minimum 500 mL (16.9 fl

oz) per crewmember

between 18 oC (64.4 oF) and 27 oC (80.6 oF) Potable Water for 

Medical Use and 

Medical Contingency

Minimum of 5 L (169.1 fl

oz) per event

Potable Water for EVA 

Operations

Minimum 240 mL (8.1 fl

oz) per EVA hour

between 68 oC 

(155 oF) and 79 

oC (175 oF)

between 18 oC 

(64.oF) and 27 

oC (81 oF)

maximum 

temperature of 

16 oC (60 oF)

Potable Water for Fluid 

Loading for Re-Entry 

from Microgravity to 

Earth Gravity

Minimum of 1 L (33.8 fl

oz) per crewmember

Potable Water for Crew 

Recovery During Entire 

Recovery Period

Minimum of 1 L (33.8 fl

oz) per crewmember for 

every 8-hour period

Sampling Water 

Quantity Mission dependent *** N/A

Agriculture Water 

Quantity Mission dependent *** TBD

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2, Rev C Table 4 – Water Quantities and Temperatures

Technical Requirements in bold boxes are the focus of this technical brief

** Critical for missions longer than three days.

*** Mission dependent as sized by appropriate sampling or plant science personnel.

†† The bulk supply of water should be accessible as ambient and/or cold.

11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-027

Water – Human Consumption

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Reference Data

5

Water 

Contamination 

Source

Contamination Process Specific Contaminants

Contamination of 

Ground-Supplied 

Water

• Present in the source water

• Introduced unintentionally during processing

• Derived from the material that comprises the 

bladder and/or on-orbit delivery tank, or is 

transferred by a dispensing system

In-Flight 

Contamination

• Recycled humidity condensate may contain 

water-soluble chemicals that are transferred 

from the spacecraft atmosphere

• Contaminants from a diversity of 

chemical-containing spacecraft payloads 

and materials (Schultz et al., 2006)

• Airborne microbes, chemicals

• Human metabolic products

• Organic acids and esters

• Pharmaceutical agents

• Drug metabolism byproducts

• Menses

• Tissue sloughing

Compounds 

Purposely Added 

to Spacecraft 

Water

• Compounds that are purposely added to 

spacecraft water

• Iodine or silver added because of the 

biocidal properties

• Minerals (e.g., calcium, magnesium) to 

improve palatability or offer dietary 

enhancement

Human Integration Design Handbook

Table 6.3-1 Water Chemical Contamination Sources

11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-027

Water – Human Consumption

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Application

6

Water Supply – Water must be safe, acceptable, and able to meet mission requirements. 

Considerations

• How to supply sufficient water quantity (sources) – producing by means of fuel cells, in situ resource 

utilization, or recycling water (hygiene water, urine, humidity).

• Processing of urine needs to account for the excess calcium that is excreted by the body in spaceflight.

• Access for water sampling before, during, and after flight – access should be provided as late as possible 

before launch, and as soon as possible after landing.

• Flow rate and quantity of water dispensing – for the crew to be able to prepare for and perform tasks 

that require potable water in a reasonable amount of time; to prevent overflow, water must be 

dispensable in specified increments that are compatible with the food and drink bags.

• For fluid loading, 1.5L of water per crewmember is based on the Space Shuttle and CCP prescriptions for 

re-entry fluid loading. The table on Page 4 calls out a minimum of 1000mL of water per crewmember 

and an additional 500 mL will be available per crewmember from their unused daily water allocation. 

Vehicles that may wave off prior to re-entry need to protect for two fluid loadings per crewmember. 

Fluid loading is based on crewmember weight and requires the use of salt 

tablets in addition to water, unless an alternative solution is used. Without 

fluid loading the crew is more likely to experience orthostatic intolerance 

(passing out when standing) during and after deorbit. 

Mission Requirements – Missions up to three days in length may have mass 

and power constraints that do not support certain types of water, such as 

urine reclamation or recycling. As mission length increases (> that 30 days), 

water supply sources may need to be reconsidered to appropriately provide the 

needs to crew while considering mass constraints. 

Development of Potable Water System – Consideration for safety and acceptability, as well as:

• Storage duration (based on mission duration plus the time required to process, test, and ship the water 

for launch) and shelf life (based on water preparation method).

• Packaging type is essential for maintaining safety and acceptability throughout shelf life – water 

packaging must meet safety and gaseous pollutant specifications.

• Suitability for use in microgravity, for example, dispensing of the water into water containers will need 

to be considered in both microgravity and partial gravity environments.

Temperature Availability – having the ability to provide not only ambient temperature water, but access to 

hot and cold water should be considered for crew personal preference, as well as supporting the 

psychological benefits for options to the crew during isolation from home. 

Expertise – NASA utilizes the following expertise to develop and provide a food system: 

• Toxicologists ensure water quality throughout development and testing process.

• Packaging engineers develop and test package integrity (sealing and vacuum) of packaged water.

• Logistics specialists develop stowage procedures and monitor water inventory.

• Facilities – Proper facilities to ensure the water is free of contamination prior to launch including 

analytical labs for testing.

Technical Challenges 

-Production of water 

(in-flight vs. recycling 

vs. supplied)

-Stowage

-Shelf-life

-Dispensing capabilities

11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-027

Water – Human Consumption

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Back-Up

7 11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-027

Water – Human Consumption

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Rev B  Rev C

• Updated information to reflect the revisions to language 

throughout both volumes of NASA-STD-3001.

• Updated/added website links due to new NASA website 

launch

Rev A  Rev B

• Updated information to be consistent with NASA-STD-3001 

Volume 1 Rev B and Volume 2 Rev C.

• Slide 4: Updated table for current values

Original  Rev A

• Slide 4: Added a footnote regarding potable water amounts 

for fluid loading

• Slide 6: Added a bullet under Considerations regarding 

potable water amounts for fluid loading

Major Changes Between Revisions

8 11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-027

Water – Human Consumption

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 1 Revision C

[V1 3003] In-Mission Preventive Health Care All programs shall provide training, in-mission capabilities, 

and resources to monitor physiological and psychosocial well-being and enable delivery of in-mission 

preventive health care, based on epidemiological evidence-based probabilistic risk assessment (PRA), 

individual crewmember needs, clinical practice guidelines, flight surgeon expertise, historical review, 

mission parameters, and vehicle-derived limitations. These analyses consider the needs and limitations of 

each specific vehicle and design reference mission (DRM) with particular attention to parameters such as 

mission duration, expected return time to Earth, mission route and destination, expected radiation profile, 

concept of operations, and more. In-mission preventive care includes, but is not limited to: (see NASA-STD3001, Volume 1 Rev C for full technical requirement).

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D

[V2 3006] Human-Centered Task Analysis Each human space flight program or project shall perform a 

human-centered task analysis to support systems and operations design. 

[V2 6026] Potable Water Quality At the point of crew consumption or contact, the system shall provide 

aesthetically acceptable potable water that is chemically and microbiologically safe for human use, 

including drinking, food rehydration, personal hygiene, and medical needs.

[V2 6109] Water Quantity The system shall provide a minimum water quantity as specified in Table 6.3-1—

Water Quantities and Temperatures, for the expected needs of each mission, which are considered 

mutually independent.

[V2 6110] Water Temperature The system shall provide the appropriate water temperature as specified in 

Table 6.3-1—Water Quantities and Temperatures, for the expected needs of each mission and task.

[V2 6039] Water Dispensing Rate Water shall be dispensed at a rate that is compatible with the food 

system.

[V2 6040] Water Dispensing Increments To prevent overflow, water shall be dispensable in specified 

increments that are compatible with the food preparation instructions and time demands of the allotted 

meal schedule. 

[V2 6046] Water Quality Monitoring The system shall provide the capability to monitor water quality and 

notify the crew locally and remotely when parameters are approaching defined limits.

[V2 6051] Water Contamination Control The system shall prevent potable and hygiene water supply 

contamination from microbial, atmospheric (including dust), chemical, and non-potable water sources to 

ensure that potable and hygiene water are provided.

All referenced tables and figures are available in NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D.

Referenced Technical Requirements

9 11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-027

Water – Human Consumption

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D

[V2 7052] Stowage Location All relocatable items, e.g., food, EVA suits, and spare parts, shall have a 

dedicated stowage location.

[V2 8001] Volume Allocation The system shall provide the defined habitable volume and layout to 

physically accommodate crew operations and living.

[V2 11029] LEA Suited Hydration The system shall provide a means for on-demand crewmember hydration 

while suited, including a minimum quantity of potable water of 2 L (67.6 fl oz) per 24 hours for the LEA suit. 

[V2 11030] EVA Suited Hydration The system shall provide a means for on-demand crewmember hydration 

while suited, including a minimum quantity of potable water of 240 mL (8.1 fl oz) per hour for EVA suited 

operations.

All referenced tables and figures are available in NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D.

Referenced Technical Requirements

10 11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-027

Water – Human Consumption

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Reference List

1. Armstrong LE and Johnson EC. (2018). Water Intake, Water Balance, and the Elusive Daily Water 

Requirement. Nutrients, 10, 1928.

2. Cooper M, Douglas G, Perchonok M. (2011). Developing the NASA Food System for Long-Duration 

Missions. Food Science, 76(2): 40-48. 

3. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 8th Edition. (2015). U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/

4. Dietary Reference Intake for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. (2004). Institute of 

Medicine of the National Academies Food and Nutrition Board. 

https://www.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fnic_uploads/water_full_report.pdf

5. PA Deuster, T Kemmer, L Tubbs, S Zeno, C Minnick. The Special Operations Forces Nutrition Guide. 

(2007). https://navyseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/special-operations-nutrition-guide.pdf

6. Evidence Report: Risk of Performance Decrement and Crew Illness Due to an Inadequate Food System.

(2012). Human Research Program Space Human Factors and Habitability Element. Internal NASA 

Document.

7. Food for U.S. Manned Space Flight: Technical Report TR-82. (1982). United States Army Natick 

Research and Development Laboratories. https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a118316.pdf

8. Smith SM, Zwart SR, and Heer M. (2014). Human Adaptation to Spaceflight: The Role of Nutrition. 

NASA Internal Document.

9. Human Integration Design Handbook. (2014). NASA Office of the Chief Health Medical Officer. 

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/human_integration_design_handbook_revision_

1.pdf

10. Human Integration Design Processes (2014). NASA Office of the Chief Health Medical Officer. 

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/human_integration_design_processes.pdf

11. Jequier E and Constant F. (2010). Water as an essential nutrient: the physiological basis of hydration. 

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 64, 115–123. 

12. Roumelioti ME, Glew RH, Khitan ZJ, Rondon-Berrios H, Argyropoulos CP, Malhotra D, Raj DS, Agaba EI, 

Rohrscheib M, Murata GH, Shapiro JI, Tzamaloukas AH. (2018). Fluid balance concepts in medicine: 

Principles and practice. World Journal of Nephrology, 7(1): 1-28.

13. Updates to the Risk of Performance Decrement and Crew Illness Due to Inadequate Food and 

Nutrition. CR: SA-01986 Human System Risk Board Presentation. (2019). Internal NASA Document.

14. Popkin BM, D’Anci KE, Rosenberg IH. (2010). Water, Hydration and Health. Nutr Rev, 68(8): 439–458.

15. Chaplin M. (2020). Water Structure and Science: Hydration, drinking water and health. 

http://www1.lsbu.ac.uk/water/hydration_health.html

11

Other Technical Requirements for Consideration

[V2 3006] Human-Centered Task Analysis1

[V2 7052] Stowage Location

[V2 8001] Volume Allocation

1. OCHMO-TB-005 Usability, Workload, & Error

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Rev C