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How to Poop in Space

posted by on Thursday February 16 2017, @12:24PM   Printer-friendly
from the another-in-our-ongoing-instructional-series dept.

Snotnose writes:

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.

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  • (Score: 5, Funny) by c0lo on Thursday February 16 2017, @01:44PM

    by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Thursday February 16 2017, @01:44PM (#467774) Journal

    various metric tons of SF pseudoscientific tales, and no one thought about the problem of pooping.

    Star Trek: teleport the human, keep to poop.

    Star Wars: use the force, Luke.

    2001 A space Odyssey: "I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't let you do that".

    Alien - nothing special, just show one/any of them.

    Harry Potter: expelipoopus.

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  • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 16 2017, @01:55PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 16 2017, @01:55PM (#467777)

    Speaking of 2001, I've always found the zero gravity toilet scene subtly hilarious.

    ZERO GRAVITY TOILET - PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED TO READ INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE [ryerson.ca]

    Dr. Floyd under pressure [blogspot.com].

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 16 2017, @09:42PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 16 2017, @09:42PM (#467974)

      TL;DR! 💩

  • (Score: 2) by fritsd on Thursday February 16 2017, @03:48PM

    by fritsd (4586) on Thursday February 16 2017, @03:48PM (#467829) Journal

    Dune: use the pouches in your stillsuit.
    Spaceballs: you can't do that here! This is a Mercedes!

    • (Score: 2) by Bot on Friday February 17 2017, @10:31PM

      by Bot (3902) on Friday February 17 2017, @10:31PM (#468380) Journal

      Robocop:
      - Target?
      - check!
      - Target?
      - check!
      - You'll keep the stall clean, murphy!
      - I don't have a pee pee.

      The day the earth stood still: "Hey, let's look if the toilet flush still spins clockwise now".

      The forbidden planet:
      -"I am sorry, Commander, this place is not for the gents"

      --
      Account abandoned.