A Dune-inspired spacesuit turns astronaut pee into drinking water

Scientists at Cornell University have designed futuristic spacesuit that can turn pee into drinking water in just five minutes. They hope NASA will use this suit for Artemis Moon missions.

Experts say this new suit will allow for long-duration spacewalks on lunar missions while keeping astronauts hygienic.

NASA is developing new spacesuits known as Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMU) in collaboration with Axiom Space for future Moon landing missions.

Suit’s creators stated in Frontiers in Space Technology that they developed a novel urine collection and filtration system to improve astronauts’ spacewalk productivity and personal cleanliness.

NASA project Artemis 3 is slated to launch in 2026 and these moonwalks will be a part of it.

New spacesuit developed by Cornell experts will be tested on volunteers later this year. This innovative suit includes urine collection garment and system that astronauts will carry like a backpack. System measures 38 cm by 23 cm by 23 cm and weighs about eight kilograms.

This backpack system collects urine and converts it into drinking water which can then be accessed through drinking tube. According to experts it takes about five minutes to collect and purify around 500 ml of urine. This efficient process ensures that astronauts have continuous supply of clean drinking water, enhancing their hygiene and sustainability during long-duration spacewalks.

NASA’s current EMUs have about one liter of water, which isn’t enough for moonwalks lasting several hours.

“Even without a large desert planet like in Dune, this could be better for astronauts,” said senior study author Christopher Mason of Weill Cornell Medicine, according to The Guardian.

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How does it work?

Device consists of a flexible undergarment connected to a silicone collection cup that fits around the genitalia.

• The inner surface of the collection cup is lined with a polyester microfiber that draws urine away from the body.
• An RFID tag, linked to an absorbent hydrogel, activates a vacuum pump in response to moisture, swiftly collecting the urine.
• After collection, urine goes through a filtration system that separates water from waste.
• Purified water is enriched with electrolytes and transferred to an in-suit drink bag for astronauts to consume.
• On International Space Station, astronauts use toilet equipped with a suction system for urination.

FAQ: Spacesuit turns astronaut pee into drinking water

How is drinking water created from urine in spacecrafts?

Urine Processor Assembly (UPA), a different subsystem, uses vacuum distillation to extract water from pee. Advancements to the UPA’s Distillation Assembly were tested in a prior technology demonstration on the space station. Water and a urine brine that still includes some recoverable water are the byproducts of distillation.

How do astronauts drink in space?

As water would float away from its container in microgravity, astronauts take their fluids by sucking through a straw into a bag. A low-pressure hose can be used at water stations to refill these bags.

What Is a Spacesuit?

Astronauts are protected in multiple ways by spacesuits. During spacewalks they supply water to drink, oxygen to breathe and temperature regulation. They help guard against injuries and space dust for astronauts.

Can you drink water in zero gravity?

Yes, astronauts usually take their drinks in zero gravity by sucking on a tube that is fastened to a bag that contains liquid. But now, because of American ingenuity, crew members can sip from a specifically made cup.

Is it possible to drink ice on Mars?

The thin atmosphere of Mars causes surface water to evaporate quickly, therefore scientists need to locate subterranean ice there. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of NASA claims that buried ice has the potential to produce rocket fuel and be drinkable.

Do astronauts urinate again?

It’s true that NASA turns 98% of astronaut sweat & urine into drinking water to cut down on the number of resupply missions required. Some people find the idea unsettling, but NASA has succeeded in turning urine into drinking water.

How do space travelers consume drink?

Because water would float away in microgravity, astronauts had to suck liquid through a straw from a bag to stay hydrated. A low-pressure hose can be used at water stations to refill these bags.

Why do astronauts eat dehydrated food in space?

On board space shuttle, astronauts primarily eat dehydrated foods and drinks because water, produced as a byproduct of shuttle’s fuel cells, is plentiful and used for food preparation. Using dehydrated food helps significantly reduce weight on missions.