Waste in space: how do astronauts go to the toilet?

NARRATOR: Waste in space.

You’re in space, you’ve had your space coffee and space breakfast, and now you need the toilet. 

For #1, foot holds keep you in place. A funnel catches the wee and sucks it into a storage container. If you’re a woman, you put the funnel directly against your body. If you’re a man, you have to place it close enough to catch the wee, but not so close you get sucked into the vacuum as well! Your wee is treated and recycled for consumption.

For #2, you secure yourself over a small opening on the toilet with foot holds. Flowing air in the toilet sucks the waste away―like a vacuum cleaner―to stop any escaping and floating around the cabin. The waste is held in a storage tank and freeze-dried, killing bacteria. This odour-free, non-toxic poop burns up on re-entry to Earth.

In the event of a break-down, it’s back to basics―Apollo-era bags taped to the buttocks, then sealed once filled. Just don’t miss!