. 24/7 Space News .
SPACE TRAVEL
Urine may be the X factor to exploring deep space
by Noah Michelsohn for JSC News
Houston TX (SPX) Oct 26, 2016


Droplets of brine remain after sample urine was pretreated are analyzed for fluid properties at Johnson. Image courtesy NASA. For a larger version of this image please go here.

Astronauts have been known to joke about how they turn yesterday's coffee into tomorrow's coffee. (Hint: It involves urine.) While this may seem like a gross scenario, it has become a reality on the International Space Station with the help of work done at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

After a urine distiller on the space station clogged in 2009, it became clear that the Urine Processor Assembly (UPA), the water-recovery system in place on the orbiting laboratory, needed to be able to process fluids more effectively. While the UPA was able to recover 75 percent of water from urine, station occupants needed to be able to reclaim more water and have a more reliable system.

Engineers at Johnson worked with other NASA centers to develop a new chemical solution called Alternate Urine Pretreatment (AUP). When the toilet is flushed on the station, a few milliliters of AUP are administered along with the flush. This enables a higher water-recovery percentage while minimizing mineral buildup inside the tubes, which is known to cause clogging.

AUP was installed on the station this past May 17 by NASA astronaut Jeff Williams. It has the potential to reach a 90 percent recovery rate, achieving the goal set in 2009 to process urine more efficiently. Once the urine is treated with AUP, it is distilled and polished in the Water Reclamation System before being consumed by the crew members in space.

This development has implications beyond lowering resupply costs and having extra water available. AUP marks a major milestone in the progress of water-recycling technologies that are a necessity for long-duration space flight, including our journey to Mars

"The goal is not to take large amounts of water with us to space, but to be able to take the water cycle itself to space," said Dean Muirhead, an engineer with Barrios Technology. "This project was another step in facing the water-cycle challenge and creating a closed life support system in space."

Systems such as AUP will ensure astronauts have the resources necessary to survive longer space excursions.

"Where other people see urine, I see a vital resource that is going to help astronauts survive," Muirhead said. "To accomplish long-duration spaceflight, we need to develop these technologies that allow us to live independently of Earth. We have to close the water loop."

While Johnson played a major role in developing AUP, Muirhead stressed that this solution wasn't developed by us alone. Important contributions arrived from other NASA centers and international partners.

"With six humans from all over the world depending on your technologies to work while orbiting through the vacuum of space at five miles per second, the stakes are high," Muirhead said. "The engineers and scientists who support space station do such an amazing job on a daily basis. In this project I got to work with smart problem solvers who are able to communicate in the unique language of collaboration."

As is the case with many NASA innovations, AUP has Earthly benefits, too.

"Cities and countries on Earth are struggling for clean water, so anytime we can understand how to conserve and reuse water, it is not only helping space exploration, but we are benefiting all of humanity," Muirhead said.

Even with AUP, we may not be Earth independent-but it's another key step in NASA's exploration of space and getting to the Red Planet.

"Although we've made great strides with this project, the only functioning example of an independent, closed-loop life support system remains our planet Earth," Muirhead said. "But I think we are now closer to understanding what we need to do to support life on other planets."


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
Johnson Space Center
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

Previous Report
SPACE TRAVEL
New lettuce crop begins growing aboard ISS
Kennedy Space Center FL (SPX) Oct 27, 2016
Just as farmers on Earth are planting leafy greens for the fall growing season, astronauts aboard the International Space Station are planting their third on-orbit crop of red romaine lettuce. Early this morning, NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough initiated the Veg-03 experiment, one of his first science assignments as a new crew member aboard the orbiting laboratory. As Kimbrough worked, memb ... read more


SPACE TRAVEL
US, Russian, Japanese astronauts return from ISS

The Space Cadets of 2016

No Balloons for JPL's Birthday, Just a 'Satelloon'

Urine may be the X factor to exploring deep space

SPACE TRAVEL
Boosting Europe's all-electric satellites

Guiding Supply Ship to the International Space Station

The Pressure is On for SLS Hardware in Upcoming Test

First launch for Orbital's Antares rocket since '14 blast

SPACE TRAVEL
Detailed images of Schiaparelli and its descent hardware on Mars

Cursed not, Difficult yes

Did it crash or land? Search on for Europe's Mars craft

Rover Conducting Science Investigations at 'Spirit Mount'

SPACE TRAVEL
US, China hold second meeting on advancing space cooperation

China to enhance space capabilities with launch of Shenzhou-11

Ambitious space satellite projects set for liftoff

China's permanent station plans ride on mission

SPACE TRAVEL
Shared vision and goals for the future of Europe in space

Dream coming true for ISS-bound rookie French astronaut

Airbus DS contracts with Intelsat General for European Defence Communications

Final exams prepare Thomas Pesquet for launch

SPACE TRAVEL
You can now print your own 3D model of the universe

Louisiana Tech University professor develops new mechanism for strengthening materials

How water flows near the superhydrophobic surface

Terma radar for Royal Malaysian Navy

SPACE TRAVEL
How Planets Like Jupiter Form

Preferentially Earth-sized Planets with Lots of Water

Potential new hunting ground for exoplanets discovered

Cloudy Nights, Sunny Days on Distant Hot Jupiters

SPACE TRAVEL
Last Bits of 2015 Pluto Flyby Data Received on Earth

Uranus may have two undiscovered moons

Possible Clouds on Pluto, Next Target is Reddish

Curious tilt of the Sun traced to undiscovered planet









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.