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Houston, we have a toilet problem.
Artemis II astronauts faced a toilet issue in space, which NASA quickly resolved, highlighting space toilet operations and backup plans.
Key Takeaways
- Space toilets can encounter technical issues but are quickly addressed by mission control.
- Astronauts rely on specialized equipment like handholds to use toilets in microgravity.
- Backup plans such as wearing MAGs are essential for astronaut hygiene during missions.
- Communication between astronauts and Houston is critical for resolving onboard problems.
- Space missions require thorough preparation for even basic needs like waste management.
Summary
- Shortly after Artemis II launched, astronauts encountered a problem with the only toilet onboard.
- NASA controllers identified a controller issue when the toilet was spun up and worked to fix it.
- The toilet problem was resolved within a few hours, allowing safe use overnight.
- Astronaut Christina Koch checked with Houston to confirm the toilet was safe before sleeping.
- Koch provided a tour of the Orion crew capsule toilet, explaining the need for handholds in microgravity.
- Retired astronaut Clayton Anderson explained astronauts wear Maximum Absorbency Garments (MAGs) as backup.
- MAGs are essentially adult diapers, which are challenging to use in space conditions.
- The video was produced by CNN with additional footage from Nat Geo ahead of the Artemis II launch.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
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Shortly after Artemis II launched on its mission around the moon,
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the astronauts were concerned whether their only toilet was properly functioning.
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We had a controller issue with the toilet when they spun it up, so we got to work through that.
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Luckily, the problem with the only toilet on board was solved a few hours later.
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Before going to sleep, NASA astronaut Christina Koch checked with Houston to see if the toilet was safe to use.
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You are good to use toilet all night.
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But how do toilets work in space?
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In a video filmed for Nat Geo ahead of the Artemis II launch, Koch gave a tour inside the Orion crew capsule toilet.
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You need handholds because you're just floating up all over the place.
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But even with the out-of-this-world commode, these astronauts have a backup plan, as retired astronaut Clayton Anderson told CNN.
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I'm guessing they're all wearing a MAG, NASA calls it a Maximum Absorbency Garment.
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That's code word for diaper.
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And I would caution everybody just simply using a diaper as an adult is a lot more difficult than when we were tiny.
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And laying on your back and trying to fill that diaper while laying on your back is another training exercise you can go through at home.
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With your friends and neighbors.
Topics:Artemis IIspace toiletNASAOrion capsuleChristina KochClayton AndersonMaximum Absorbency Garmentspace missiontoilet problemspace hygiene
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