Nasa recovers 98% water from urine and sweat on ISS; breakthrough to help in long space missions

Nasa recovers 98% water from urine and sweat on ISS; breakthrough to help in long space missions

Nasa recovers 98% water from urine and sweat on ISS; breakthrough to help in long space missions In a major breakthrough, astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) have attained a 98% water restoration rate using an advanced system that recycles astronauts’ urine and sweat into drinkable water. The development holds immense potential for future long interplanetary missions. The breakthrough was made possible using the subsystems that are part of the Environment Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS), which is aimed at recycling consumables such as food, air and water for further use in space. Life support systems ideally need to recover close to 98% of the water that crew members bring along at the start of a long journey, Nasa said. This is because each crew member aboard ISS needs around a gallon of water each day for drinking, food preparation and hygiene usage. The space station’s ECLSS recently demonstrated that it can achieve that significant goal. Christopher Brown, who is part of the team at Johnson Space Center that manages life support systems on the ISS, said, “This is a very important step forward in the evolution of life support systems. Let’s say you launch with 100 pounds of water. You lose two pounds of that, and the other 98% just keeps going around and around. Keeping that running is a pretty awesome achievement.” ECLSS is a combination of hardware that includes a water re

covery system. This system collects wastewater and sends it to the water processor assembly (WPA), which produces drinkable water. One specialised component uses advanced dehumidifiers to capture moisture released into the cabin air from crew breath and sweat. Another subsystem, the Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) recovers water from urine using vacuum distillation. A previous technology demonstration on the ISS tested improvements to the UPA’s distillation assembly. Distillation produces water and a urine brine that still contains some reclaimable water. A Brine Processor Assembly (BPA) developed to extract this remaining wastewater has been on the space station as a demonstration of its operation in microgravity. Recent assessments found that the BPA helped the system achieve the 98% water recovery goal, Nasa said. “Before the BPA, our total water recovery was between 93% and 94% overall. We have now demonstrated that we can reach a total water recovery of 98%,” said ECLSS water subsystems manager Jill Williamson. The 98% milestone is a significant development for future space missions that will see astronauts spend more time in space during long stays on the lunar surface and crewed missions to Mars. “The regenerative ECLSS systems become ever more important as we go beyond low Earth orbit. The inability to resupply during exploration means we need to be able to reclaim all the resources the crew needs on these missions,” Williamson said.

Sustainability and Resource Conservation: The achievement of a 98% water recovery rate on the ISS not only ensures a reliable water supply for astronauts but also highlights the importance of sustainability and resource conservation in space exploration. By effectively recycling and reusing water, NASA reduces its reliance on resupply missions and minimizes the overall consumption of vital resources.

Technological Advancements: The successful development and implementation of the advanced water recovery system demonstrate significant technological advancements in space exploration. The sophisticated subsystems and hardware components utilized in the ECLSS highlight NASA's commitment to continuously improving life support systems to meet the demands of long-duration space missions.

Health and Well-being of Astronauts: Access to clean drinking water is crucial for the health and well-being of astronauts in space. By achieving such a high water recovery rate, NASA ensures that astronauts have an adequate supply of safe and potable water, reducing the risk of dehydration and associated health issues during their missions.

Space Exploration Beyond Earth Orbit: As NASA sets its sights on future deep space missions, such as crewed journeys to Mars, the ability to recover and reuse resources becomes even more critical. The 98% water recovery milestone represents a significant step toward achieving self-sufficiency in resource utilization during long-duration space travel, where resupply missions are not feasible.

Collaboration and Partnerships: The success of the water recovery system on the ISS is the result of collaborative efforts between NASA and various partners, including scientists, engineers, and industry experts. These partnerships showcase the importance of collaboration in advancing space technologies and pushing the boundaries of human exploration.

Inspiring Innovation on Earth: The advancements made in water recovery and recycling technology for space missions have the potential to inspire innovations on Earth. The knowledge and expertise gained from developing efficient systems in space can be applied to address water scarcity and sustainability challenges on our planet, benefiting communities worldwide.

Future Applications: While the immediate application of the water recovery system is in space exploration, the technology and processes developed could have broader applications on Earth. The expertise gained from managing resources in a closed environment like the ISS could be utilized in remote or arid regions on Earth, where water availability is limited.

Building a Sustainable Future: NASA's achievement in water recovery aligns with broader efforts to build a sustainable future, both in space and on Earth. By demonstrating the viability of recycling and reusing resources, NASA sets an example for responsible resource management, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices for the future of humankind.

Including these additional points will provide a more comprehensive overview of the significance and implications of NASA's achievement in water recovery on the ISS.