HEALTH AND SANITATION 29 bags that were stored in a separate module for disposal , and starting in 2009 , recycled urine for use as drinking water .
New and Improved In 2020 , ISS became the recipient of NASA ’ s first major redesign of space toilets in more than three decades : the Universal Waste Management System ( UWMS ). Replacing one of the two Russian toilets on the station , it ’ s also scheduled for use on future Orion missions to the moon and beyond .
At a cost of USD23-million , the UWMS was intended to overcome many of the earlier systems ’ shortcomings and represents a historic moment for NASA , which for decades only sent men into space , by specifically recognising the physiological needs of women .
Developed in collaboration with female astronauts , the UWMS features a recontoured urine funnel that better accommodates the female anatomy and allows women to perform for the first time what ’ s called “ dual ops ,” that is , defecating and urinating simultaneously using a space toilet .
Reflecting on the frustration of using space toilets designed primarily for men , Nicole Stott , a retired NASA astronaut who flew two missions to ISS and was consulted for the project , could only say , “ It ’ s about time .”
The UWMS also contributes to enhanced onboard odor control by starting air flow the moment the lid is lifted instead of waiting for it to be turned on and by employing an advanced filtration system that eliminates any hint of objectionable aromas . According to project director Melissa McKinley , “ Air coming from ( our ) previous toilets has been said to be the sweetest smelling air ,” and “ We hope this toilet is even better .”
“ Air coming from ( our ) previous toilets has been said to be the sweetest smelling air ,”
Reducing water storage and the need for transporting it from earth is another important item addressed by the UWMS , with a recycling system that filters and processes urine so it ’ s safe for astronauts to drink . NASA astronaut Jessica Meir describes it as similar to Earth ’ s natural water cycle that cleanses water from the air . As a result , she says that recycling water onboard ISS using the UWMS means that “ Today ’ s coffee is tomorrow ’ s coffee .”
With a goal of achieving 95 % recycling efficiency for a round-trip to Mars , ISS has now reached a level of 90 % with the assistance of the UWMS .
Made primarily of titanium , the UWMS weighs just 100 pounds and is 28 inches tall , which is 65 % smaller and 40 % lighter than the Russian-made toilet remaining on ISS . A more ergonomic design features small ridges on the seat to aid in positioning and hand holds and foot restraints to hold users in place in zero gravity instead of the uncomfortable thigh bars previously used . Designed to last a minimum of 10 years , the UWMS has corrosion resistant parts and is easier to clean and maintain than other space toilets .
Life Imitates Art While the UWMS truly represents state-of-the-art technology , we should expect toilets to continue being a major concern and focus of ongoing innovation and improvement for as long as we travel into space . Why ?
Perhaps the best answer to this was expressed during an episode of the Big Bang Theory in an exchange between Howard Wolowitz , who designed a space toilet for NASA that malfunctioned ( sound familiar ?), and his friend and detractor , Rajash Koothrappali .
Howard : Okay make your little jokes , but out of the four of us , I ’ m the only one who ’ s making a real-world contribution to science and technology .
Rajesh : He ’ s right , this is an important achievement for two reasons . Number one , and of course , number two ! PA
September 2022 Volume 28 I Number 7 www . plumbingafrica . co . za