New NASA achievement: Drinking water from 98% recycled urine and sweat  

A critical technology for her future missions

As NASA announced through its official website , it has just achieved a major technological achievement that can transform its future missions. In particular, the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) of the International Space Station can now recycle 98% of all fluids excreted by the station’s astronauts!

In detail, ECLSS is made up of several subsystems, each focusing on different sources of recycling. For example, one part is made up of advanced dehumidifiers that capture moisture from the astronauts’ breaths, as well as their sweat, as they complete their daily tasks.

On the other hand, there is also the ‘Urine Processor Assembly’, which, as its name suggests, processes the astronauts’ urine, so that nothing goes to waste. According to NASA, the urine distillation process produces water and something like a ‘urine brine’ that still contains recoverable H20. Thanks to the improved urine recycling subsystem, NASA has seen a 98% water recovery rate on the ISS, whereas previously the station recycled about 93 to 94% of the water brought in by astronauts.

Speaking about the achievement, NASA’s Christopher Brown, who is part of the team that manages the International Space Station’s life support systems, said:

“This is a very important step forward in the evolution of life support systems. Let’s say you have 100 kg of water at the station. You lose two pounds of it and the remaining 98% continues to be recycled. To keep this going is a pretty awesome achievement.”

If the idea disgusts you or makes you wonder how clean this water really is, Jill Williamson, NASA’s ECLSS Water Subsystem Manager, provided the answer, clarifying:

“The treatment is similar to some terrestrial water distribution systems, it’s just done in microgravity. The crew doesn’t drink urine – they drink water that’s been reclaimed, filtered and purified so it’s cleaner than what we drink here on Earth.”

Of course, the benefits of such an efficient recycling system are huge, since as Williamson then explained, “the less water and oxygen you have to carry, the more science can be added to the launch vehicle.”