Inside the Secret, Surprising Challenges of Astronauts’ Bathroom Breaks in Space
The problem of solid waste disposal is even more vexing, as containment is far more difficult to achieve and fecal matter is far more difficult to handle automatically than liquid waste. Consequently, in 2016 NASA launched the wonderfully-named Space Poop Challenge, which offered $15,000 to any inventor who could come up with a practical spacesuit waste management system. The top prize was clinched by flight surgeon and family physician Dr. Thatcher Cardon, who developed his prototypes on evenings and weekends with the help of his wife and kids. Cardon’s system features a small access port integrated into the crotch of the spacesuit, to which various bags and hoses can be attached to remove solid and liquid waste. According to Cardon, the port could also be used to perform emergency abdominal surgery and other procedures. But while innovative, the system is nowhere near ready for actual use in space, and as of this recording the problem of long-term waste management in a spacesuit has not yet been solved. But with NASA working tirelessly on the problem, we can all rest assured that when the first astronaut takes the first dump on the planet Mars, they will be aided by the very best technology humanity can concoct.
Expand for References
Lea, Robert, How do Astronauts Use the Bathroom in Space? SPACE, March 4, 2024, https://www.space.com/how-do-astronauts-go-to-bathroom-in-space-toilet-guide
Eveleth, Rose, Even Astronauts Have Accidents, Smithsonian Magazine, June 11, 2013, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/even-astronauts-have-accidents
Pomeroy, Ross, Alan Shepard Wet His Spacesuit: the Science and History of Space Urination, RealClear Science, June 7, 2013, https://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2013/06/the-science-and-history-of-space-urination.html
Hollins, Hunter, Forgotten Hardware: How to Urinate in a Spacesuit, Advances in Physiology Education, March 11, 2013, https://journals.physiology.org/doi/epdf/10.1152/advan.00175.2012
Thompson, Amy, NASA Just Sent a New $23 Million Space Toilet to the International Space Station, Smithsonian Magazine, October 9, 2020, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/nasa-just-sent-new-23-million-space-toilet-international-space-station-180976037/
Cofield, Calla, NASA’s New Spacesuit Has a Built-In Toilet, SPACE, February 20, 2018, https://www.space.com/39710-orion-spacesuit-waste-disposal-system.html
Resnick, Brian, Apollo Astronauts Left Their Poop on the Moon. We Gotta Go Back for That Shit, VOX, July 12, 2019, https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/3/22/18236125/apollo-moon-poop-mars-science
Brueck, Hilary, From Peeing in a ‘Roll-on-Cuff’ to Pooping Into a Bag: a Brief History of How Astronauts Have Gone to the Bathroom in Space for 58 Years, Business Insider, July 17, 2019, https://www.businessinsider.com/how-nasa-astronauts-pee-and-poop-in-space-2018-8
Evon, Dan, Spacesuit Envy, Snopes, February 5, 2015, https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/spacesuit-envy/
Jagla, Irene, Secrets of the Space Shuttle Toilet, The Museum of Flight, June 28, 2018, https://blog.museumofflight.org/secrets-of-the-space-shuttle-toilet
McKinnon, Mika, A Broken Toilet in Space is a Special Brand of Horror, Gizmodo, November 27, 2015, https://gizmodo.com/is-a-broken-toilet-in-space-the-worst-thanksgiving-ever-1744841910
McKinnon, Mika, Astronauts: Pooping in Apollo Bags is So Bad We’d Rather Land Early, Gizmodo, November 30, 2015, https://gizmodo.com/astronauts-pooping-in-apollo-bags-is-so-bad-wed-rather-1745287570?_gl=1*1752p4c*_ga*MTEyMjgxOTQ4NC4xNzIyNzE4MDE0*_ga_V4QNJTT5L0*MTcyMjcxODAxMy4xLjEuMTcyMjcxODA0OS4yNC4wLjA.
RIVER OF GOODS Coastal 52 Inch Wooden Bead LED Ceiling Fan, Brown
(as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
RIVER OF GOODS Farmhouse LED Ceiling Fan - 52" L x 52" W - Metal Caged Fixture - Rich Barnwood/Light Driftwood Fan Blades
(as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Promixx FORM Sports Water Bottle - Premium BPA Free Water Bottle for Fitness Sports & Outdoors - Sustainable Drinks Bottle with Measurement Markers and Leakproof Lid - 760ml / 26oz (Midnight Blue)
$19.99 (as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
RIVER OF GOODS Mid-Century Modern Transitional LED Bronze Chrome Ceiling Fan - 52" L x 52" W - Rich Barnwood/Light Driftwood Fan Blades - Metallic Ceiling Fan with Light and Fabric Shade
(as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Post Comment