Spacewalking astronauts could drink own urine instead of using diapers thanks to new tech

The possibilities are endless when it comes to space technology.

One groundbreaking advancement may allow astronauts to convert their urine into drinkable water in just minutes, eliminating the need for diapers during spacewalks.

Traditionally, astronauts on spacewalks around the International Space Station have used disposable diapers, known as maximum absorbency garments (MAG), to manage their bodily functions. However, wearing these diapers for extended periods can be uncomfortable, and astronauts have to rely on a limited water supply from a separate drinking bag.

To address these challenges, scientists have developed a new lightweight system that can collect and purify urine within the spacesuit, producing drinkable water quickly.

Sofia Etlin, the lead researcher at Weill Cornell Medicine, explained, “Getting urine away from the body as quickly as possible should reduce some of the health complications that astronauts are currently experiencing like rashes, urinary tract infections, and digestive distress.”

“Second, the greater overall supply of water that our system generates will keep the astronauts hydrated,” Etlin added.

The new system, resembling the stillsuits from “Dune,” involves astronauts wearing a specially designed undergarment lined with antimicrobial fabric. A humidity sensor detects urine, triggering a vacuum pump to collect the urine and pass it through a filtration device for purification.

Within minutes, the filter converts the urine into clean, drinkable water that is then transferred to the spacesuit’s drinking bag.

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