While NASA‘s Artemis II is well on its way to the moon, its toilet is facing issues again. The spacecraft’s toilet previously malfunctioned soon after its launch on Wednesday, April 1. Although a version of this loo was tested on the International Space Station several years ago, it was unable to detect the issues that might arise once Artemis II took off.
NASA Artemis II is facing toilet issues
The crew aboard NASA’s Artemis II is the first one to head to the moon in 53 years. They will make history as the first to go around the moon and glimpse its far side. However, they might have to do so with a malfunctioning toilet.
The $30 million Universal Waste Management System is reportedly a major advancement in deep-space sanitation technology (via The Guardian). This marks the first time a private toilet cubicle is available on a spacecraft. Astronauts can access it through a door on the floor next to the hatch through which they enter the spacecraft.
According to an April 5 report by Associated Press, the urine is not completely flushing in the toilet, which has led scientists to suspect that ice might be blocking the line. The astronauts can still use it for the disposal of solid human waste. Mission Control has instructed the crew to use the backup urine collection bags until the toilet is functional again.
NASA’s Orion program deputy manager, Debbie Korth, revealed that the crew has also complained about a smell coming from the toilet. Noting that the toilet is often facing such issues, she said, “Space toilets and bathrooms are something everybody can really understand… it’s always a challenge.”
Meanwhile, John Honeycutt, chair of the mission management team, has stated that it is human nature to take an interest in the toilet on the space shuttle. He also said that although it is “in a good state right now,” he would love it to be 100 per cent functional. As far as the astronauts are concerned, he said, “They’re OK. They trained to manage through the situation.”
