The article describes how astronauts go to the toilet in space and take a shower, as well as on what principle the space sewer and water supply are arranged.

Space

55 years ago, what many scientists dreamed of happened - man made the first space flight, breaking out of our planet.

Later, when it became clear that it was quite possible and necessary to deploy research stations in the Earth's orbit, all space powers began their design and development. However, due to the high cost of such projects, only the USA and the USSR succeeded in completing them. And later the ISS was created - the international space station. She will soon celebrate twenty years of operation.

But the ISS is far from the first created for long-term habitation of people, which means that it has everything necessary for a relatively comfortable life of astronauts and the maintenance of their vital functions, including a hygienic unit. And which can often be heard from ignorant people: how do astronauts go to the toilet in space? We will talk about this in this article.

Hygiene

This topic rarely comes up in reports about astronauts, science films or literature, even fantastic literature. In works of art, uncomfortable details are often hushed up. You can often find books about how brave space explorers from the future are in combat or scientific spacesuits for tens of hours. Despite the delicacy of the topic, the space toilet is a complex technological device, the principle and design of which was developed by the best minds of engineering. And this is not without reason.

The thing is that orbital stations and spaceships do not yet know how to create and the problem of space toilets became acute at the dawn of space exploration. Indeed, in the absence of the force of gravity, human vital activity will simply fly into the compartments and can cause a short circuit or clog the air circulation system.

So how do astronauts go to the toilet in space? In fact, everything is simple. Toilets are designed according to the principle of a vacuum cleaner - waste is drawn in by means of negative air pressure and then enters the recirculation system. But let's consider their device in more detail.

Installation of ISS toilets

A bathroom at an orbital station is a very important device, along with air exchange or thermoregulation systems. If it fails, then further use of the station will become impossible. True, such situations have not yet happened, and the cosmonauts have spare compact toilet facilities. But the danger lies in the fact that in space it is impossible to open the window, throw out all the waste and ventilate the room from an unpleasant smell. So let's take a closer look at the question of how astronauts go to the toilet in space.

The ISS has three toilets, and two of them are Russian-made. Their toilets are suitable for crew members of both sexes. As already mentioned, they work on the principle of a vacuum cleaner, drawing all waste into the cleaning system and preventing them from scattering into the station compartments. And then they enter the cycle of the processing system, where they receive drinking and industrial water with oxygen.

Of course, the sanitary and hygienic block on the ISS and its toilet are very different from those on Earth. First of all, the presence of leg mounts (so that the astronaut does not fly away ahead of time), as well as special holders for the thighs. And instead of water, they use a vacuum, which draws in all the waste. After the cleaning cycle, the remaining waste is collected in special containers and, as they are filled, are transferred to one of the cargo ships for further disposal. So now we know how astronauts go to the toilet in space. But what if the astronaut wants to use the toilet when he is in the spacecraft and not at the station?

Toilets of spaceships

Launching a spacecraft into space and docking it with the ISS is a very difficult task. Sometimes astronauts have to sit in a rocket ready for launch for quite a long time, and the process of docking and maneuvering is delayed for tens of hours. Naturally, no normal person can endure so much without going to the toilet. Therefore, before the start, astronauts put on special diapers under their spacesuits. The design of the spacecraft is such that it is impractical to waste space on the creation of a separate, even the simplest toilet.

If it is planned to stay on board the ship for a long time, as it was in the early years when space stations did not exist, then special toilet devices are used - flexible hoses with nozzles in the form of funnels. The negative pressure in them creates a draft of air, solid waste is collected in garbage cans, and liquid waste is thrown out of the ship.

How do astronauts wash?

Initially, the conquerors of space did without water procedures. They used wet wipes. But when the first space stations were built and launched into orbit, they were all equipped with showers. After all, the air circulation system is closed, and it is difficult to get rid of extraneous odors, therefore, astronauts need to maintain hygiene. Psychological comfort also plays an important role - after all, nobody likes being dirty. So how do astronauts wash?

There is no separate shower cabin at the stations, and even more so on ships. And practice has shown that their construction is inexpedient. For washing, use a special easily washed off shampoo, wet wipes and tubes with water. Because of it, it is quite firmly adhered to the bodies of people, and then they simply wipe it with towels. Of course, this cannot be compared with a real shower, but still, this method helps to cope well with the natural pollution of the human body.

Skylab

This space station stayed in orbit for about 6 years, and then was directed by the operators into the Earth's atmosphere, where it burned down safely. True, not completely, and some of its elements nevertheless reached the surface. And this station is notable for the presence of a large amount of free space and a shower.

The modern space station is where every free corner of space is used. But Skylab differed precisely in its internal dimensions. They were such that the astronauts, while charging, easily flew from one wall to another and generally noted that there was a lot of free internal volume. It was at this station that there was a shower, naturally, modernized for conditions without gravity.

"Peace"

There was also a shower at the Mir station. But the modern ISS space station does not have it, since taking a shower in orbit is not the same as water procedures on Earth. The process was greatly delayed due to various difficulties, and the astronauts rarely used the device, preferring to wipe them off with damp towels. In addition, it is dirt that does not exist at the station, and therefore the skin gets dirty much less than on Earth.

Toiletries and USSR

The name of the first astronaut in the history of mankind is probably known to everyone. But the name of the second is not known to everyone. It was the American Alan Shepard. And the first toilet problems for our former rivals in the space race began on May 5, 1961, before the launch of the rocket with Shepard.

Alan, who had been in the suit for more than 8 hours by that time, told the operator that he really needed to visit the toilet. But it was impossible to interrupt the preparation for the launch, to feed the service tower to the ship, and then to engage in preparation again. Such a scenario would lead to a postponement of the flight. As a result, Shepard had to relieve himself of a small need directly into the spacesuit. The engineers feared that this would short-circuit and fail most telemetry sensors, but luckily nothing happened.

But Gagarin's flight was better planned. And although it lasted only 108 minutes, his ship was equipped with a special toilet device in the form of flexible hoses with funnels, into which waste was sucked. True, it is not known whether Gagarin used it.

Conclusion

As you can see, the space toilet is a very important device, without which it would be impossible for astronauts to stay in Earth's orbit for a long time. Despite the apparent simplicity, very large sums were spent on their design and implementation. For example, the toilet that the Americans ordered from Russia for their segment of the ISS cost them $ 19 million. Well, during the time they are forced to use special diapers, since sometimes work outside the ships or the ISS stretches for many hours.

And let us recall an unappetizing detail that astronauts like to surprise overly impressionable journalists with: all waste goes to the recycling system, where they make water and oxygen for further consumption. But any serious activity requires sacrifice, and astronauts are ready to go to great lengths to make their dreams come true.

Today, April 12, Russia celebrates Cosmonautics Day. How do you imagine the life of an astronaut? Tubes, spacesuits and zero gravity? We decided to spy on life aboard the spacecraft. So let's go!

clothing

Previously, the cosmonaut did not take off his spacesuit throughout the entire flight. Now, in everyday life, he wears a T-shirt with shorts or a jumpsuit. Orbit jerseys in six colors to choose according to your mood. Instead of buttons - zippers and Velcro: they will not come off. The more pockets the better. But they are located in a completely different way than we are used to. Slanting breast pockets were invented when it turned out that astronauts constantly have to put pencils and other small objects somewhere so that they would not fly apart. Wide shin pockets are convenient because astronauts often assume a fetal position. Thick socks are worn instead of shoes. Clothes on board are not washed, but packed in a special container, after which it burns out in the atmosphere.

Sport

There are several simulators aboard the space station. Astronauts are obliged to play sports, because in zero gravity, human muscles atrophy and bones lose strength.

There are three treadmills at the station. To train on them, astronauts tie themselves with special belts. Also on the ISS there are exercise bikes and a special device that "simulates gravity." The simulator allows you to perform a whole range of exercises in microgravity conditions due to the resistance of the force of vacuum cylinders, for example, squats or imitation of swimming.

Hygiene

The first astronauts put on diapers. They are still used now, but only during spacewalk and during takeoff and landing. The development of a waste disposal system began at the dawn of astronautics. The toilet works like a vacuum cleaner. The thin air stream sucks in the waste, while it enters the bag, which is then unfastened and thrown into the container. Another takes its place. Filled containers are sent into outer space - they burn up in the atmosphere. At the Mir station, liquid waste was purified and turned into water, which the astronauts prefer not to drink. In an interview, Russian cosmonauts admitted that in order to go to the toilet in a big way, you have to very accurately aim at a small hole. They even undergo special training before flying. If you miss, the waste will scatter around the ship.

Wet wipes and towels are used for body hygiene. Although "shower cabins" have also been developed. You wash your head every day, otherwise itching starts. There is a special soapless shampoo, which you first carefully apply to your hair, squeeze another drop of water there, and then remove it with a towel. Another inconvenience is that you have to swallow toothpaste, it is impossible to rinse your mouth out. And the pasta is the most ordinary, which everyone on Earth uses. Therefore, they try to apply it to the brush to a minimum.

Food

Food tubes have become a symbol of the cosmic lifestyle. They began to be made in Estonia in the 1960s. Squeezing from the tubes, the astronauts ate chicken fillet, beef tongue and even borscht. In the 80s, sublimated products began to be delivered to orbit - up to 98% of water was removed from them, which significantly reduces mass and volume. Hot water is poured into the bag with the dry mixture - and lunch is ready. They eat canned food on the ISS. The bread is packed in small loaves for one bite to keep the crumbs from flying around the compartment. The kitchen counter has holders for containers and cutlery.

The tubes now contain only juice and a small set of food used on the approach to the station. By the way, the astronauts themselves make up the menu. A special hot water distribution unit, with the help of which the cosmonauts prepare all food, is affectionately called "our teapot". The dishes do not look very appetizing, but they are quite edible.

And here's what the astronaut's menu might look like:

First breakfast: tea with lemon or coffee, biscuit.

Second breakfast: pork with bell pepper, apple juice, bread (or brass beef with mashed potatoes, fruit sticks).

Lunch: chicken broth, mashed potatoes, prunes with nuts, cherry-plum juice (or milk soup with vegetables, ice cream and high-melting chocolate).

Dinner: pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes, biscuits with cheese and milk (or country style somenok, prunes, milkshake, quail polite and ham omelette).

Cabin

In zero gravity, it doesn't matter where to sleep, the main thing is to securely fix the body. On the ISS, sleeping bags with zippers are attached directly to the walls. By the way, in the cabins of the Russian cosmonauts there are windows that allow you to admire the view of the Earth before going to bed. And the Americans have no "windows". The cabin contains personal belongings, photos of relatives, music players. All small objects are either slipped under special elastic bands on the walls, or fastened with Velcro. For this, the walls of the ISS are pasted over with a fleecy material. There are also many handrails at the station.

Traditions

A well-known tradition: on the way to the start there is a place where Gagarin once stopped, and there the male part still gets off the bus. This is called spacesuit lacing. Well, this also makes practical sense: the cosmonauts sit for two hours before the launch in the spacecraft in a twisted position while the checks are going on. Of course, before doing this it is worth emptying the bladder. It looks a little wild, but such is the tradition.

Weightlessness

The first sensation of being in zero gravity is disorientation. Unfastening - you start to take off. You take off your gloves, and they hang in the air. Difficulty focusing vision. It is very difficult to measure the efforts - after all, there is no resistance. You need to do something, the effort is disproportionate, you are thrown to the side, you are trying to slow down, you apply even more effort - it is thrown to another. You understand that it is better not to twist your head - motion sickness appears. It is also better not to look into the window for a long time - it starts to stir up. In addition, the ship flies in a constant twist, which ensures the orientation of the solar cells to the Sun. One revolution in three minutes, but that's enough to induce bouts of nausea. During rare interruptions, when the ship performs maneuvers, the Soyuz rotates for two days. One orbit around the Earth takes an hour and a half, after six orbits the first time of rest of the crew begins.

Old-timers fly easily and naturally. Pushing slightly with their fingertips, they fly past the ten-meter module, sniping through the hatch. This is what is always shown on video from the station. Of course, you immediately try to repeat - nothing of the kind. Most of all, you resemble a billiard ball sent by an inept hand. Somewhere I got caught, somewhere I braked with my feet, and somewhere with my head, somewhere I knocked something down. The beginner is immediately visible: he moves slowly, in flight for braking he spreads his legs, like a dovetail, and not so much slows down with them as knocks everything around. And the newcomer is followed by a train of knocked down instruments, lenses and other items. After a week or two, the awkwardness disappears, and after six months you become a real ace. I need to go somewhere - I pushed off with one finger, flew in and braked with one finger, however, on my leg.

And another unusual sensation is spatial orientation. At first, you very clearly understand where is the top and where is the bottom. Internally, you clearly know: here is the floor, here is the ceiling, and here is the walls. And if you flew to the wall, then you realize that you are sitting on the wall. Like a fly. But after a month or two, the sensations change: you move to the wall, and it clicks in your head! - becomes a floor, and everything falls into place.

• ISS is a manned space station used as a multipurpose space research facility. This is a joint international project involving 14 countries. The first segment of the station was launched into orbit in 1998.

The ISS was visited by 8 space tourists, each of them paid from 20 to 30 million dollars, all tourists were delivered to the station by Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Also, a correspondence wedding took place at the station: cosmonaut Yuri Malyarenko, who was at the station, married Ekaterina Dmitrieva, who was on Earth. The bride was in Texas, and under state law, the bride or groom may be absent from the wedding if he or she is represented by a proxy.

The article describes how astronauts go to the toilet in space and take a shower, as well as on what principle the space sewer and water supply are arranged.

Space

55 years ago, what many scientists dreamed of happened - man made the first space flight, breaking out of our planet.

Later, when it became clear that it was quite possible and necessary to deploy research stations in the Earth's orbit, all space powers began their design and development. However, due to the high cost of such projects, only the USA and the USSR succeeded in completing them. And later the ISS was created - the international space station. She will soon celebrate twenty years of operation.

But the ISS is far from the first space object created for long-term human habitation, which means that it has everything necessary for a relatively comfortable life of astronauts and the maintenance of their vital functions, including a hygienic unit. And a delicate question that can often be heard from uninformed people: how do astronauts go to the toilet in space? We will talk about this in this article.

Hygiene

This topic rarely comes up in reports about astronauts, science films or literature, even fantastic literature. In works of art, uncomfortable details are often hushed up. You can often find books about how brave space explorers from the future are in combat or scientific spacesuits for tens of hours. Despite the delicacy of the topic, the space toilet is a complex technological device, the principle and design of which was developed by the best minds of engineering. And this is not without reason.

The thing is that orbital stations and spaceships are not yet able to create artificial gravity, and the problem of space toilets became acute at the dawn of space exploration. Indeed, in the absence of the force of gravity, the liquid waste of human life will simply fly through the compartments and can cause a short circuit or clog the air circulation system.

So how do astronauts go to the toilet in space? In fact, everything is simple. Toilets are designed according to the principle of a vacuum cleaner - waste is drawn in by means of negative air pressure and then enters the recirculation system. But let's consider their device in more detail.

Installation of ISS toilets

A bathroom at an orbital station is a very important device, along with air exchange or thermoregulation systems. If it fails, then further use of the station will become impossible. True, such situations have not yet happened, and the cosmonauts have spare compact toilet facilities. But the danger lies in the fact that in space it is impossible to open the window, throw out all the waste and ventilate the room from an unpleasant smell. So let's take a closer look at the question of how astronauts go to the toilet in space.

The ISS has three toilets, and two of them are Russian-made. Their toilets are suitable for crew members of both sexes. As already mentioned, they work on the principle of a vacuum cleaner, pulling all waste into the cleaning system and preventing them from scattering through the station compartments. And then the waste products enter the cycle of the processing system, where they receive drinking and industrial water with oxygen.

Of course, the sanitary and hygienic block on the ISS and its toilet are very different from those on Earth. First of all, the presence of leg mounts (so that the astronaut does not fly away ahead of time), as well as special holders for the thighs. And instead of water, they use a vacuum, which draws in all the waste. After the cleaning cycle, the remaining waste is collected in special containers and, as they are filled, are transferred to one of the cargo ships for further disposal. So now we know how astronauts go to the toilet in space. But what if the astronaut wants to use the toilet when he is in the spacecraft and not at the station?

Toilets of spaceships

Launching a spacecraft into space and docking it with the ISS is a very difficult task. Sometimes astronauts have to sit in a rocket ready for launch for quite a long time, and the process of docking and maneuvering is delayed for tens of hours. Naturally, no normal person can endure so much without going to the toilet. Therefore, before the start, astronauts put on special diapers under their spacesuits. The design of the spacecraft is such that it is impractical to waste space on the creation of a separate, even the simplest toilet.

If it is planned to stay on board the ship for a long time, as it was in the early years when space stations did not exist, then special toilet devices are used - flexible hoses with nozzles in the form of funnels. The negative pressure in them creates a draft of air, solid waste is collected in garbage cans, and liquid waste is thrown out of the ship.

How do astronauts wash?

Initially, the conquerors of space did without water procedures. They used wet wipes. But when the first space stations were built and launched into orbit, they were all equipped with showers. After all, the air circulation system is closed, and it is difficult to get rid of extraneous odors, therefore, astronauts need to maintain hygiene. Psychological comfort also plays an important role - after all, nobody likes being dirty. So how do astronauts wash?

There is no separate shower cabin at the stations, and even more so on ships. And practice has shown that their construction is inexpedient. For washing, use a special easily washed off shampoo, wet wipes and tubes with water. Due to the surface tension, it adheres rather firmly to the bodies of people, and then it is simply wiped off with towels. Of course, this cannot be compared with a real shower, but still, this method helps to cope well with the natural pollution of the human body.

Skylab

This space station stayed in orbit for about 6 years, and then was directed by the operators into the Earth's atmosphere, where it burned down safely. True, not completely, and some of its elements nevertheless reached the surface. And this station is notable for the presence of a large amount of free space and a shower.

The modern space station is where every free corner of space is used. But Skylab differed precisely in its internal dimensions. They were such that the astronauts, while charging, easily flew from one wall to another and generally noted that there was a lot of free internal volume. It was at this station that there was a shower, naturally, modernized for conditions without gravity.

"Peace"

There was also a shower at the Mir station. But the modern ISS space station does not have it, since taking a shower in orbit is not the same as water procedures on Earth. The process was greatly delayed due to various difficulties, and the astronauts rarely used the device, preferring to wipe them off with damp towels. In addition, it is dirt that does not exist at the station, and therefore the skin gets dirty much less than on Earth.

Toilet problems of the USA and the USSR

The name of the first astronaut in the history of mankind is probably known to everyone. But the name of the second is not known to everyone. It was the American Alan Shepard. And the first toilet problems for our former rivals in the space race began on May 5, 1961, before the launch of the rocket with Shepard.

Alan, who had been in the suit for more than 8 hours by that time, told the operator that he really needed to visit the toilet. But it was impossible to interrupt the preparation for the launch, to feed the service tower to the ship, and then to engage in preparation again. Such a scenario would lead to a postponement of the flight. As a result, Shepard had to relieve himself of a small need directly into the spacesuit. The engineers feared that this would short-circuit and fail most telemetry sensors, but luckily nothing happened.

But Gagarin's flight was better planned. And although it lasted only 108 minutes, his ship was equipped with a special toilet device in the form of flexible hoses with funnels, into which waste was sucked. True, it is not known whether Gagarin used it.

Conclusion

As you can see, the space toilet is a very important device, without which it would be impossible for astronauts to stay in Earth's orbit for a long time. Despite the apparent simplicity, very large sums were spent on their design and implementation. For example, the toilet that the Americans ordered from Russia for their segment of the ISS cost them $ 19 million. Well, during spacewalks, people are forced to use special diapers, since sometimes work outside the ships or the ISS stretches for many hours.

And let us recall an unappetizing detail that astronauts like to surprise overly impressionable journalists with: all waste goes to the recycling system, where they make water and oxygen for further consumption. But any serious activity requires sacrifice, and astronauts are ready to go to great lengths to make their dreams come true.

“I began to estimate the distance to other windows. And Stas paused and said thoughtfully: - Zero gravity ... And how, I wonder, do cosmonauts go to the toilet in zero gravity? - Hey, don't you think about it! I yelled. - You can’t endure a little! ” Julius Burkin, Sergey Lukyanenko. "Today, mom!"

On May 5, 1961, NASA launched a man into space for the second time, after the first unsuccessful attempt. The live broadcast has riveted millions of Americans to their television screens. The hero of the day was astronaut Alan Shepard. Due to various technical problems, the launch of the ship was constantly postponed, and although the flight was only 15 minutes, Shepard had been lying in a spacesuit in the Freedom 7 capsule for the fourth hour and he really wanted to write.

Difficulties of Americans

While TV viewers, following the reporters, wondered what the astronaut was thinking at such a grandiose moment, there was a wild commotion at the Mission Control Center. Alan said that there was no strength to endure any longer, and the specialists were in a terrible hurry to decide what to do. The fact is that no one expected that the flight would be delayed, and, accordingly, there was no opportunity for the astronaut to go to the toilet. Finally the command came: "Do it right into the suit." Experts decided that it was not dangerous, except that it was now impossible to control the beating of the astronaut's heart. The electrodes that gave these signals went crazy as soon as the warm stream reached them. But the flight was successful.

The second American astronaut Gus Grissom was quite ready for toilet problems. According to legend, he flew to the suborbit in a giant diaper made up of several female pads. Adult diapers were not yet on sale.

Later, when the Americans began to fly into orbit, astronauts were equipped with a "more advanced" system. Special urine bags collected urine, which was stored in the ship until the end of the flight, and during the Apollo program they began to be thrown into outer space. To solve a more complex physiological problem, the Americans glued a special bag with an inner wall covered with an absorbent material to the anus with adhesive tape. After relief, the astronaut cleaned the body of impurities with a special protrusion of this bag, then carefully peeled it off, added a preservative inside and threw the sealed bag into the trash can. For privacy, during this process, the astronauts were allowed to turn off the onboard video camera. According to the American periodicals of those years, there were cases when such a package came unstuck at an inopportune moment. Including because of this, many astronauts were depressed by such a system, but before the appearance of the Shuttle, they had to put up with it. In order to somehow alleviate the suffering of space explorers, NASA developed products for them that allowed them to use the packages as little as possible.

Taking care of the astronaut

In the USSR, they initially prepared not for a 15-minute suborbital flight of a person, but for a very real orbital one. Therefore, the issues of life support of astronauts in space were approached thoroughly. If the Americans did not provide their astronaut with even the simplest urine bag, then Gagarin, who flew three weeks earlier, could, if necessary, satisfy both small and large needs in flight. Such exceptional concern for the first cosmonaut today may seem strange, but everything is explained by the fact that an “off-nominal” option was considered if Vostok did not leave orbit on command at the right moment. And in this case, it was supposed to land in 3-5 days, when the "Vostok" was supposed, according to the laws of ballistics, to independently leave the satellite orbit. In this case, the so-called ACS, that is, "sewage and sanitary device", was developed. But, since the descent from orbit went according to plan, Gagarin used this device only for a small need, and then, most likely, out of curiosity. As you know, Gagarin, contrary to the scheduled start-up schedule for the minutes, stopped the bus and went to the toilet shortly before the flight.

It's easier with girls

In the USSR, Korolev entrusted the development of an automated control system for cosmonauts to Machine-Building Plant No. 918 (now OAO NPP Zvezda). The main task of this enterprise was to create a spacesuit and an ejection seat, but since the first cosmonauts had to use a sewage device without leaving their seat and without taking off their spacesuit, they decided that its development should be entrusted to Zvezda. The first ACS appeared in astronaut dogs. The excrement was sucked out from under the tail after a certain period of time, and moss was used to absorb the unpleasant odor. By the way, have you ever wondered why almost all astronaut dogs were bitches? It turns out, also because it was somewhat more difficult to develop a sewage device for males. However, the first such systems were not perfect: it happened that the dogs returned to Earth in a dirty form. ACS for people was a much more serious development and was created from scratch.

Basics of "construction"

"The principle of operation of the automated control system has not changed since the flights of the first‘ Vostoks, "says Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Belov, a designer at NPP Zvezda.

To satisfy a small need, the cosmonaut, even in the very first systems, opened the tap that connected his urine bag with a urine collector. At the same time, the fan automatically turned on and pulled a portion of the liquid into the urine collector, where it was absorbed by the absorbent material, and the air involved in the process was purified from harmful and unpleasant odors in a special deodorizing filter.

For solid waste in the receiving device, temporarily placed under the astronaut, there was an insert. The elastic curtains at the inlet of the liner were rolled up in preparation for the flight, leaving the entrance open. At the end of the process, the astronaut used sanitary napkins, then dropped the liner curtains, and they completely covered the contents. And so that during the time when the curtains of the liner were still open, the waste was kept inside, the fan provided the flow of air. Moreover, the walls of the insert were two-layer - porous on the inside and sealed on the outside, while the bottom, on the contrary, was porous on the outside and sealed on the inside: thanks to this, the waste could not leak due to the created vacuum. The system was quite simple to use and more satisfactory in terms of hygiene compared to the American one.

Toilet progress

If the first ACS only remotely resembled an earthly toilet, then decades later, progress became inevitable. The current Russian toilet on the ISS and the American one on the Shuttle are already close to their terrestrial counterparts both in terms of ease of use and in appearance. Only they are much more expensive and take more time to use. Firstly, if you are in great need, you need to strap on the toilet seat: this is done not only for convenience, but also because in the space toilet a person partly turns into a projectile with a jet engine. And secondly, there is no sewage system in space and astronauts have to spend some time on waste disposal. In the Russian segment of the ISS, urine is preserved (using a 35% aqueous solution of sulfuric acid) and then sent to Earth. At the same time, instead of static separators, where urine is absorbed by an absorbent, which are used at Soyuz, the ISS uses dynamic separators, where, due to rotation and centrifugal forces, it is fed into storage tanks. And at the historic orbital station "Mir" so far the only time in world practice has been used the system of the Research Institute Khimmash, which regenerated water from urine.

The astronauts did not drink this water - oxygen was produced from it for breathing. The Americans, on the other hand, remove urine overboard, although they have already developed a similar water recovery system. But there is no need for it on the ISS yet.

Solid waste - both ours and America's - is returned to Earth. To reduce the volume of solid waste, the Americans dried them by connecting them to the space vacuum for a while, and then stored them on the Shuttle until they returned to Earth. Russian cosmonauts store solid waste in containers and then send it back to Earth on the Progress transport ship.

Whose system is better? "Actually, when the Americans developed a toilet for the 'Shuttle," says Aleksandr Aleksandrovich, "I thought they had bypassed us. In terms of mass dimensions, their toilet at that time was superior to our systems used at the Salyut orbital stations." But experience has shown that it is more convenient to use our toilet. " For example, during the first flights on the Shuttle, due to the freezing of waste in outer space, which required noticeable heat consumption, after each trip to the toilet, a break in time was required, and a queue of astronauts was lined up to the toilet. There were rumors from Mira and the ISS that not only Europeans, but also Americans, who had the opportunity to compare, preferred our toilet, and now, in the absence of Shuttle flights, they have no choice: the Russian toilet is still the only one in orbit. “Representatives of American companies have repeatedly started talking about the possibility of our participation in the manufacture of automated control systems for their spacecraft and the ISS segment,” says Alexander Alexandrovich, “but it hasn’t come to light yet.”

He explained that everyone is constantly asking astronauts how this happens. Peak showed the tube, which is needed to cope with a small need. To use the tube, you need to open the cover and unscrew the valve that activates the pump. The astronaut did not show how the toilet for defecation works, but said that it was "the same." It turns out that the main thing in this business is the air flow. On Earth, most often, plumbing is equipped with a drain that flushes waste with water and evacuates it through pipes. But you do not need to have a rich imagination to understand that in zero gravity conditions on a shuttle or on an orbital station, such a system does not work. And so the excrement is essentially blown away by a stream of air.

The toilet in space toilets - they are designed for both men and women - looks basically the same as on Earth, but has a number of design features. It has special leg mounts to keep it from coming off the seat. The seat itself is tightly fitted to the shape of the astronaut's buttocks. On the shuttle, by the way, you can urinate while standing - both men and women. For this, a special funnel has been developed with a hose that connects to the toilet bowl. If desired, you can use it while sitting.

The sewerage system separates solid waste from liquid waste. The hard ones are pressed, stored on board the shuttle, and unloaded after landing. Liquid waste is just being thrown into outer space for now, but over time, NASA hopes to find a way to recycle it. According to experts from the University of Guelph in Canada, this will be especially necessary for long-term space flights in the future, in particular, to Mars. The air from the toilets on the shuttle is filtered before entering the living quarters to remove bacteria and odors.

Astronaut Tim Peak demonstrates the work of the toilet on the ISS

On the International Space Station, the general principle of the system is the same. The toilet is equipped with powerful air pumps. All waste is sorted and stored on board for some time. The urine is sucked in and collected in 20 liter containers. These containers are then reloaded onto the Progress cargo spacecraft, which burn up as they enter the upper atmosphere. For solid waste, special mesh plastic bags are used. A stream of air passes through the holes, and as a result, all excrement ends up in the bag. The elastic bag is pulled together and dropped into a metal container.

The bags are disposable and are replaced after each use of the toilet. Waste containers are also removed by Progress. During launch and landing, astronauts wear adult diapers. They came to this by trial and error - one astronaut recounts in his memoirs that once, at the dawn of the space age, the launch was delayed for a long time, and he was eventually allowed to urinate in a spacesuit, which knocked down all the sensors. And the husband of the Queen of Great Britain is not the only one who turns to NASA specialists with questions about space toilets. The space agency confirms that children and journalists are constantly asking this question.