NASA is recycling 98 percent of astronaut pee and sweat on the ISS into drinkable water | Engadget
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This week, NASA revealed that the International Space Station’s Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) is recycling 98 percent of all water astronauts bring aboard the station..

This week, NASA revealed that the International Space Station’s Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) is recycling 98 percent of all water astronauts bring aboard the station…

  • sregger@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    Hmm… I had one question from the get go. But it was not answered by the article. Namely what happens the remaining 2%? They say there’s a chance to recovery it in the future but not what they do with it currently.

    Also, nice stillsuit reference.

    • deviant@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I think this has to do with the fact that water soluble wastes are harder to remove from water but easier to concentrate. I’m no chemistry expert but I think that’s why

      • sregger@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        1 year ago

        But, given that’s the case, what do they do with the wastes? Is it shot out into space or brought back to earth?

        • Jajcus@kbin.social
          2·
          1 year ago

          Most trash is burnt in atmosphere when the one-way supply ships are disposed (de-orbited in a controlled way). Some waste samples are probably brought down for examination.

    • VegaLyrae@kbin.social
      1·
      1 year ago

      You already have good answers here, but it’s also important to remember that the ISS isn’t a perfect seal.

      Small amounts of gasses are lost all the time, which is simply the nature of trying to keep small molecules in one place.