Dirty story NASA: how astronauts Agency 57 years had tormented when going to the toilet

Date:

2018-08-31 15:15:21

Views:

3362

Rating:

1Like 0Dislike

Share:

Dirty story NASA: how astronauts Agency 57 years had tormented when going to the toilet Source:

The Astronauts are obviously very brave, intelligent and accomplished people, but they are all the same people, not supermen. Therefore, even while in space, they, like any other person is necessary from time to time to go "small" and "large". Space Agency NASA has begun to conduct training of the first astronauts in the early 60-ies. And interestingly, at that time, the Agency is not worried about how the astronauts will be voiding their bladders and bowels, while in conditions of weightlessness. The main task consisted in sending a man into space and, if possible, return it back to Earth. Everything else faded into the background.

When in 1961, Alan B. Shepard, first American, made a suborbital space flight, was forced to empty your bladder right in the suit on the launch pad, NASA has finally realized that the lack of planning can present a very big problem.

The Agency has had to more carefully consider how the astronauts will be going to the toilet in space, but the NASA decision did not come easy. After completion of the mission "Apollo" in 1975, the engineers of the Agency admitted that defecation and urination "are very annoying and problematic aspects that accompany every space trip."

In subsequent years, experts from NASA have offered many solutions to the question: from the catheters and diapers, and ending with a hanging toilet and a full washroom systems worth $ 19 million, though not developed in NASA. Now "go pee" in space was much more comfortable, but there was a time when this process looked more like a torture, not a relief.

The retired Astronaut Peggy Whitson, the total spent in space for 665 days and 22 hours, which is an absolute record for the duration of work in the space among women, and among all the astronauts NASA recently admitted that the trip to the toilet in space was the least enjoyable part of the job in microgravity.

the

As the first NASA astronaut went right under him

When on may 5, 1961 Alan Shepard, the first ever US man went to space, NASA plans did not include the possibility that this man might want the toilet at the crucial moment. The planned mission duration was only about 15 minutes. However, the engineers of the Agency did not take into account how much actual time Shepard can spend inside of a spacecraft waiting for launch.

Astronaut Alan Shepard next to the capsule of the spaceship "mercury" after landing

For some time all went well, but then the shepherd felt that his bladder was very uncomfortable full. Team mission to send the first American into space insisted that the astronaut remained in his place, so Shepard made it clear to MCC that he was going to go potty right under him. And went.

"Thanks cotton underwear that was worn by all astronauts, all that came out of me, quickly it absorbed. I was completely dry by the time actual start" — told later, Shepard.

After this incident, NASA began to think about the equipment the astronauts the means to go to the toilet at any time a space mission. The first urine bottles, looked like a huge collapsing condoms and went in three different sizes. Needless to say that the device was intended for use by men? No women astronauts at that time were not conducted.

Space moonborn

Made of latex, the bag was connected to a plastic tube, a valve on the suit with a special clip and a dedicated bag-moonbounces. The system was far not perfect and sometimes leak. However, these catheters were used, for example, John Glenn in the first for the U.S. orbital space flight mission "mercury-Atlas-6". The flight duration was 4 hours and 55 minutes.

During the "Gemini", the second program of space flights in the 60's, NASA began to think about how to allow the astronauts to go "big". It should be noted that the first device intended for this, it looked like an ordinary bags, taped to the fifth point of the astronauts.

"After defecation a member of the crew had to seal the bag, then mash it to inside antibacterial liquid mixed with its contents and provided the necessary level of antibacterial safe," — described the system of collection of solid waste in NASA.

"Because the task was very unpleasant and demanded that the astronauts enough time to complete, often people try to only eat foods quickly digested and going to the toilet just before the flight".

The Device that was used in the Apollo program, were not much better, because it was still used to the bag system. In the end, going to the toilet in space was always a real adventure. For this reason NASA even had a report about how many times one or the other astronaut went to the toilet in the next mission "Apollo."

the

History floating something

In 1969 during the mission "Apollo 10" the incident occurred a long time hiding in the archives of history, away from the eyes of an ordinary citizen. During the flight around the moon three astronauts complaineddisgusting flying object inside the spacecraft. They had the following dialog:

"Give me a napkin, quick. Here in the air floating turd", — said commander Tom Stafford. – "Maybe it's John Yang?". "It's definitely not mine," — answers command module pilot John young. "I don't think it's mine," — said the lunar module pilot Eugene Cernan. "Mine were a little more sticky than this one, — responded Stafford. – Snap out of it". Some time later, Cernan again picks up this theme: "Here's another goddamn turd. What's wrong with you guys?".

Late for the astronauts of missions "Apollo" NASA has developed a system of "integrated system for the collection of faeces", as to use the packages in the open space was of course impossible. This system looked and was described as "a pair of shorts with multiple layers of absorbent material". In practice, NASA created the space diapers, which according to the Agency "was able to absorb any excrement."

the

equipment of the ships of the first toilets has not solved all the problems

So the era of space shuttles, along with space came the women and finally the toilets! In order for women-the astronauts could celebrate small need during the launch and spacewalks, NASA has developed a system of Disposable Absorption Containment Trunk, representing the same shorts with multiple absorbent layers.

This diaper could absorb up to 3.75 cups of urine

The Space Shuttle began to be equipped with these toilets Waste Collection System cost $ 50,000 each. However, to use in microgravity them was difficult. The diameter of the hole of the toilet was only 10 inches, which was approximately quarter of the hole diameter of the earth analogue. In order to use such a toilet, the astronauts for several months I trained on the Ground. In some cases under the seat was used mounted camera that helps to better "aim".

the Simulator space Shuttle toilet

"Accuracy is important" — says Scott Weinstein, NASA experts, who trained future astronauts to properly use the toilet on the space Shuttle.

Of Course, no toilet paper here wasn't provided. She could create an additional source of pollution.

Astronaut Mike Massimino once said that in order to conveniently fit on a space toilet, he used the handrails. In the end, it looked as if the astronaut clung to the handle of the chopper (American motorcycle with extended frame). Today's astronauts and cosmonauts working aboard the International space station, have much more amenities. In the toilets instead of water, use the vacuum. Solid waste is collected in special plastic mesh bags that some time stored in an aluminium 20 litre containers. Filled containers shift in the cargo transport ship "Progress" for further utilization. After absorption of the liquid waste is collected using a special hose with a nozzle, which can be used by both men and women, and then passed to the regeneration system, restoring them to a condition of potable water used in the technical circuit.

the Italian European space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti shows a bag for solid waste collection,

Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who has been to space more than any other NASA astronaut, in an interview with Business Insider said that is weightless, soaring – great, but to go to the toilet – a big hassle.

"If the toilet is filled or clogged, it is necessary to wear rubber gloves and cleaned it" — said Whitson.

the

Problems on the ISS

Modern toilets aboard the ISS is very effectively cope with collection and disposal of liquid waste: approximately 80-85 percent of this waste is processed to a state of clean drinking water, says a former astronaut. However, in the opinion of a female astronaut, NASA could figure out how to do space toilets more convenient and effective.

"We want a completely closed system cyclic type. To brand all liquid waste is processed into drinking water," — said the astronaut.

If spacewalks are modern astronauts use the most absorbent underwear (Maximum Absorption Garment), which is tight-fitting underpants, soaking in everything that comes out of a person. Earlier this lingerie for NASA astronauts was produced by the company Absorbancies, but it no longer exists, but the Agency still have the pre-purchased inventory products.
The history of the modern toilet on the ISS is also not without sin. In may 2008, the most important part of the station is out of order. Fortunately, the efficiency of the device was kept in part – allow the system to collect solid waste. Later to the ISS docked Soyuz, which had a toilet (but limited capacity). Spravleniya small needs of astronauts again had to resort to the already forgotten packages.

At that time, the media wrote that the broken toilet was a disaster, since the station had only one such system. After six months on the ISS brought bought from Russia for $ 19 million full bathroom, setting it in the American module "Tranquility". A new toilet was delivered by space Shuttle"Endeavour" mission STS-126. The Russian system has independent channels for the collection of solid and liquid wastes.

the

New technologies are expanding the possibilities

Last year, NASA held a competition to develop a portable system that will allow astronauts to go to the toilet with a long presence in space suits, for example, when a long-duration flight to Mars. The device below in the pictures got the first prize in the amount of $ 15,000.

The System involves the presence of a small connecting hole near the crotch of the suit to which it will be possible to connect tubes and bags for collecting liquid and solid waste. According to the description, the system even allows you to change the astronaut underwear without having to remove the suit.

The Developer of the device Thatcher Cardon with his wife and children days and nights worked to create a working prototype.

"the design of the device I designed to the last detail. He lay, thought and imagined how it will look when using different approaches" — said Cardone in an interview with Business Insider.

"I immediately decided I needed to figure out a way waste out of the suit".

NASA say they are not yet ready to fully use the Cardon invented a portable waste disposal system in their current suits, however, in the future the Agency may adopt "some features" of the device in the design of future spacesuits.

Cardona thinks that the same design of valves on the spacesuits can be very useful in the future. For example, when the need for emergency medical operations.

"these valves will help to simplify and faster to prepare, for example, for surgery on the abdominal cavity. If the astronaut gets into a situation where he gets hurt, for example, in mining on asteroids, such valves can be very useful".

To Discuss all the hardships, experienced by American astronauts .

Recommended

The Americans on the moon: what everyone should know?

The Americans on the moon: what everyone should know?

the Upcoming cosmonautics day is my favorite holiday. It marks the triumph of the human mind: in just four thousand years Homo Sapiens went from hunter-gatherers to space explorers. 12 April 1961 Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in ...

Why are some galaxies spiral shaped?

Why are some galaxies spiral shaped?

you Know what surprised me the most? The fact that we perceive the surrounding world as it is. Animals, plants, the laws of physics and the cosmos are perceived by many people as something so mundane and boring that they invent fairies, ghosts, monst...

Astronomers were able to see the death of another star system

Astronomers were able to see the death of another star system

In the cosmic ocean drifts a lot of mysteries about the existence of which we are unaware. One of these was uncovered five years ago, when astronomers have discovered a lonely star at a distance of 570 light years from Earth, the brightness of which ...

Comments (0)

This article has no comment, be the first!

Add comment

Related News

Aboard the ISS discovered the breach. The astronauts are trying to fix a leak

Aboard the ISS discovered the breach. The astronauts are trying to fix a leak

last night in the living compartment of the ship "Soyuz MS-09", docked to the International space station, was discovered the breach. The air pressure had dropped slightly so there was not worry. Most likely leak on Board the "Uni...

Space probe

Space probe "New horizons" received the first picture of my new goals

Despite the fact that the device is at a distance of more than 160 million kilometers from its target dwarf planet Ultima Thule (2014 MU69) with a diameter of 15-20 kilometers, the interplanetary automatic station "" provided the ...

For the first time in 50 years potential NASA astronaut refused training

For the first time in 50 years potential NASA astronaut refused training

an Unprecedented event for the first time since 1968 occurred with aerospace Agency NASA. One of the potential astronauts were selected for training for space flight, for the first time in 50 years refused to learning and leave th...

In early September, the Federal space Agency will start looking for new astronauts for future missions

In early September, the Federal space Agency will start looking for new astronauts for future missions

In connection with the growing interest in space exploration leading aerospace Agency regularly recruiting new astronauts in its ranks. And recently it became known that the domestic Corporation "Roscosmos" will join the ranks of ...

Mining water on the moon will give us the space. Don't believe?

Mining water on the moon will give us the space. Don't believe?

Moon miners especially were jubilant this week when scientists announced they found strong evidence of the existence of water ice on the moon's surface. There is much more ice than we thought, and now we know exactly where he is. ...

Until 2024 the United States will send astronauts to orbit the moon

Until 2024 the United States will send astronauts to orbit the moon

Speaking Thursday at the Space center Johnson in Houston Vice-President Michael Penny announced that the U.S. government expects to send up to the end of 2024 astronauts to the planned lunar orbital station with the aim of establi...

NASA creates space GPS navigation based on artificial intelligence

NASA creates space GPS navigation based on artificial intelligence

In the modern world if you are lost or just can't find the right direction to a desired place in a new city, you open Yandex.Maps, Google Maps or any other mapping application based on GPS and by following a few tips find the righ...

A new app from NASA will make selfi on the background of deep space

A new app from NASA will make selfi on the background of deep space

the Notorious program for photo editing free from Adobe allows you to do with your the anything. And in the hands of a professional environment will be indistinguishable from the present. It is one thing to enjoy the beauty after ...

Company Stratolaunch in addition to the very large aircraft will create three rocket and spaceplane

Company Stratolaunch in addition to the very large aircraft will create three rocket and spaceplane

the Company Stratolaunch announced plans to develop a series of space rockets, the launch of which will be carried out by special carrier aircraft. The design includes three rockets and a reusable spaceplane that will be used to d...

One of the most important skills on the ISS? The ability to use the toilet

One of the most important skills on the ISS? The ability to use the toilet

Japanese astronaut, Noguchi Soichi gathering in his third expedition to the International space station, talked about the fact that the toilet is one of the most important objects on the ISS, and the ability to use it – one of the...

In Russia, only one woman astronaut. Does she space?

In Russia, only one woman astronaut. Does she space?

First woman in space was from Russia, from the Soviet Union. Moreover, the first two female astronauts came from: Valentina Tereshkova in 1963 and Svetlana Savitskaya in 1982. NASA waited until the space Shuttle era, before sendin...

"Hubble" made a new photo that will remind you of how insignificant you

we All look forward to the launch of the space telescope James Webb, who is stuck in a never-ending series of delays, thanks to the idiots at Northrop Grumann — but old Hubble still delivers gorgeous views of the heavens. Last the...

On this superhot exoplanet — a real

On this superhot exoplanet — a real "iron curtain" in place of the sky

for the First time in history astronomers have discovered iron and titanium in the atmosphere of a planet outside the Solar system. This exoplanet — KELT-9b — is the hot alien world of all that we have ever found. The planet is so...

Lockheed Martin showed where the astronauts will live during missions into deep space

Lockheed Martin showed where the astronauts will live during missions into deep space

a Massive cylindrical housing may one day adopt four astronauts sent into deep space. Lockheed Martin showed how could look like such dwelling, on Thursday at Space center. Kennedy, where the aerospace giant's contract with NASA i...

Water worlds were not all that rare

Water worlds were not all that rare

Scientists believe that water should be an important component of many exoplanets (planets the size 2-4 times larger than the Earth rotating near other stars). If this is confirmed, the approach to the search for life in our galax...

Can we send something like a Cassini to Uranus or Neptune?

Can we send something like a Cassini to Uranus or Neptune?

  In the place of the Solar system where we study the distant Universe using powerful ground and space observatories have provided us with data and knowledge that we never dreamed of. But we still have no opportunity to go s...

As SpaceX NASA trains astronauts to fly on the Dragon capsule

As SpaceX NASA trains astronauts to fly on the Dragon capsule

the First passenger SpaceX team collected, date of flight scheduled, and now is the time to prepare her for the journey into space. On Monday, the President of SpaceX, Gwynne Shotwell showed the first four NASA astronauts who will...

#gallery | Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev has shared photos of the spacewalk

#gallery | Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev has shared photos of the spacewalk

Russian cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev and Sergei Prokopiev finished second in this year's spacewalk aboard the International space station. Working on Board the ISS began on 15 August at 19:17 Moscow time. It was originally planned tha...

What is

What is "nothing"? Says astrophysicist Martin Rees

Philosophers have debated the nature of "nothingness", "nothing", "nothing", "emptiness" for thousands of years, but what can modern science tell? This question will be answered by Martin Rees, astronomer of the Royal society and ...

Humanity may accidentally declare war interstellar alien civilization

Humanity may accidentally declare war interstellar alien civilization

Imagine yourself in a world not much different from Earth, which orbits a star, not much different from our Sun. Temperature and atmosphere are perfect for the existence of liquid water on the surface, but a mixture of oceans and ...