/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24016885/STK093_Google_04.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24808816/Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_____Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_2023_7_25_94252.263_1440p_streamshot.png)
NASA is currently pushing boundaries and making remarkable progress. Astronauts stationed on the International Space Station have achieved a major breakthrough by achieving a water recovery rate of 98%.
You might be curious to know why this is so important. The achievement of successfully recycling 98% of water is of great importance for low-orbit space missions, as it addresses a fundamental need to provide essential resources to astronauts.
It is removed in the refining process to remove water from it. But if they keep recycling the same urine it will gradually give less and less water so they will need some fluids outside the system
— Esteste (@EstesteSobkina) 27 June 2023
The remarkable aspect is that this water was obtained from the urine and sweat of the astronauts, i.e. NASA has effectively turned the urine of the astronauts into drinking water.
See also: What is a falling star? relax. You’re not the only one confused.
Christopher Brown, a member of the team responsible for overseeing life support systems on the International Space Station (ISS) at the Johnson Space Center, expressed the importance of the achievement, saying it represents a significant advance in the advancement of life support systems.
My face changed when I finally got that 2% cup I’d been waiting for. pic.twitter.com/ohtvwW3ObB
– Squat3D (@squat3d) 26 June 2023
The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) successfully reached the water recovery milestone using the Advanced Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) in a demonstration, space.com reports. UPA uses vacuum distillation to remove water from urine.
but that 2% though pic.twitter.com/Xbl6LkMKEj
– 🥷§híďoshi_Tony (@Shidoshi_Tony) 26 June 2023
NASA states that the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) consists of various hardware components, including a water recovery system. The purpose of this system is to collect wastewater and direct it to the Water Processor Assembly (WPA), which is responsible for producing potable water.
How would astronauts feel after taking their first sip of water that is 98% urine? pic.twitter.com/QmwFb0bHJd
— ᴛᴇ0ʜɴɴʏ ✶✧ (@FLAWLESSTJ0HNNY) 26 June 2023
In addition, a special component equipped with modern dehumidifiers plays an important role in absorbing the moisture emitted into the cabin air by the breath and sweat of the crew.
The achievement of the 98% water recovery milestone holds promising implications for upcoming space missions including extended stays on the lunar surface and manned missions to Mars.
