SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
from the another-in-our-ongoing-instructional-series dept.
NASA has a problem with #1 and #2 in space. What to do? Crowdsource it, in the form of a contest where anyone can submit a superior method. The contest just ended with NASA awarding $30,000 to the winning entries.
NASA astronauts' current method of waste disposal involves using a diaper during spacewalks and launch and entry, but these systems can be used only for about a day. The agency noted that it is difficult to design pooping systems for microgravity, where fluids and other things float. Maintaining good hygiene for these systems was among the primary challenges participants were tasked with solving.
In a description of the challenge, NASA said it was looking for technologies that have a "technical readiness level of 4" on its "ready for flight" scale, meaning that the solution could be tested in one year and be ready for space in three years. NASA added that it would consider solutions that would need more time if they were considered breakthroughs.
The goal is to use the system on a mission in the next three or four years, the challenge page said.
An earlier article about the problem: http://www.space.com/35576-space-poop-system-orion-deep-space.html.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 16 2017, @04:09PM
Attach a hose to a port on the wall of the spacecraft that vents to space, with a valve to control flow. Attach hose to M1 adapter (for #1 male) or F1 (for #1 female) or U2 (for unisex #2), let it flow.
(Score: 2) by wonkey_monkey on Thursday February 16 2017, @05:11PM
Constipation will be a thing of the past. You'll go, whether you want to or not.
systemd is Roko's Basilisk
(Score: 2) by HiThere on Thursday February 16 2017, @08:12PM
Hemorrhoids, however...
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 3, Informative) by wonkey_monkey on Thursday February 16 2017, @10:13PM
Been there, had the surgery.
systemd is Roko's Basilisk
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 16 2017, @08:01PM
It wouldn't surprise me to know that there have been numerous terrestrial events involving a vacuum cleaner hose and someone's privates.
It also wouldn't surprise me to learn of numerous hospital records related to these.
El Reg has reported numerous times about events with spider bites and improvised cock rings and such.
You might even find accounts of some of the vacuum-related episodes there.
You also have the problem of venting valuable breathable air.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]