Future NASA missions might have astronauts drinking recycled urine from their spacesuits, thanks to a new waste management system developed by Cornell University researchers. This team has built a prototype filtration system that can turn wastewater into drinkable water in just five minutes.
Inspired by the “stillsuits” from the sci-fi series Dune, this technology could be used in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to send humans back to the Moon after more than 50 years.
Currently, astronauts use adult diaper-style garments to manage waste in their spacesuits, which are uncomfortable and unhygienic. However, the new system uses osmosis to filter urine and produce clean drinking water.
Sofia Etlin, a researcher at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University, explained that the design includes a vacuum-based external catheter that leads to a forward-reverse osmosis unit, providing a continuous supply of potable water. It also has multiple safety mechanisms to ensure the astronauts’ wellbeing.
Currently, astronauts are limited to one liter of water in their in-suit drink bags, which is not enough for longer lunar spacewalks. This new system addresses that issue. The researchers plan to test the design in simulated microgravity conditions before using it on actual space missions, improving astronaut hygiene and mission efficiency.
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