Space Technology - As in 'Dune': Space Suit Recycles Urine into Drinking Water
A new hygiene system for space suits reminds one of the distillation unit from the "Dune" film series: Urine can be recycled with it to approximately 85 percent - and then becomes available to astronauts as drinking water again, as reported by the developer team in the journal "Frontiers in Space Technologies." Currently, NASA astronauts only have about a liter of drinking water available in their space suits, it was stated. "This is not enough for the planned, longer spacewalks on the moon that can last ten hours and even up to 24 hours in an emergency," explained Etlin. In such an emergency, a lunar rover could have a malfunction, and the astronauts would have to return to the moon base. With water from recycled urine, the risk of dehydration would be eliminated.
Inspiration from "Dune"
In the Science-Fiction film series "Dune," water is a very valuable resource. Therefore, the Fremen people in the desert wear a distillation suit, with which body fluids, especially urine and sweat, can be reprocessed. According to a report from the trade journal, this was an inspiration for the team around Sofia Etlin and Christopher Mason from Cornell University in New York to develop the new space suit hygiene system.
Nasa astronauts currently only have barely a liter of drinking water available in their space suits, it was stated. "This is not enough for the planned, longer spacewalks on the moon that can last ten hours and even up to 24 hours in an emergency," explained Etlin. In such an emergency, a lunar rover could have a malfunction, and the astronauts would have to return to the moon base. With water from recycled urine, the risk of dehydration would be eliminated.
Model ISS
The urine is collected in silicone containers with a skin-friendly surface using the system. Two different forms take into account the differences in the female and male anatomy. A moisture sensor sets off a vacuum pump, which quickly removes urine from the body. In a two-filter arrangement, water is first drawn out of the urine by osmosis into a concentrated salt solution. Subsequently, water is pressed out of the salt solution through reverse osmosis and has drinking water quality.
Besides "Dune," another model for the system is the water recycling system on the ISS. However, it is much larger. Etlin, Mason and colleagues have managed to significantly reduce the size of the system, so that it can be carried in a backpack on the back. The backpack is approximately eight kilograms heavy, but with the significantly lower gravity in Earth orbit or on the moon, the weight is hardly noticeable. The system requires electrical power, which, according to the information, consumes less than ten percent of the current energy requirement of a space suit.
"Our system can be tested under simulated conditions of minimal gravity because the microgravity is the most important space factor we have to consider," said Mason. Before the system can be used in a space mission, functionality and safety would have to be ensured. The produced drinking water could be enriched with electrolytes and nutrients to also supply astronauts with energy during long stays.
- The new hygiene system, inspired by the "Dune" distillation suit, could potentially be utilized in international space travel, such as during moon missions conducted by NASA and other space agencies located in the United States of America.
- Christopher Mason, a member of the development team at Cornell University in New York, highlighted that the new technology could significantly improve the current water situation for astronauts during spacewalks, which can last up to 24 hours in emergencies.
- The Cot (short for 'Cornell Technology') system, designed by Etlin and her colleagues, includes a 'Suit (for a room)'-like container for urine collection, which is then processed to create drinking water, reducing the need for additional water supplies in space.
- Mason explained that the system employs advanced technology, similar to the water recycling system on the International Space Station (ISS), but with a smaller and more compact design, enabling it to be carried on a space traveler's back.
- In the future, this 'Space Tech' could potentially lessen the burden of carrying drinking water for astronauts during prolonged space travel, as well as lessen the volume of waste material that must be discarded from spacecraft.
- The 'Science and Technology' of the Cot system could have various applications beyond space travel, including in the development of more efficient water treatment systems for use on Earth, such as for addressing water scarcity issues in arid regions like New York or other parts of the United States of America.
- The Cot system, if proven successful, could pave the way for more sustainable space travel and exploration, ultimately making space a more accessible frontier for astronauts and humans worldwide, which is an exciting prospect for the future of human innovation and 'International' collaboration.
