In “Dune,” the Fremen on the desert planet Arrakis wear stillsuits that recycle body moisture. Researchers now aim to create a similar suit for astronauts, inspired by this sci-fi technology. Astronauts currently use Maximum Absorbency Garments (MAGs), essentially space diapers, during spacewalks. These MAGs can cause discomfort, leaks, and health issues like infections. With longer spacewalks planned for future missions, a new solution was needed.
A team from Weill Cornell Medicine has developed a new suit that improves astronaut hygiene and overall mission efficiency. This suit includes a silicone urine collection cup with antimicrobial lining and a vacuum pump to remove urine. It also filters urine into drinking water using forward and reverse osmosis, inspired by NASA technology on the ISS. This system aims to recover at least 75% of water from urine and maintain low salt levels for safe consumption.
This technology not only enhances astronaut quality of life but also aligns with sustainability goals in space exploration. The efficiency of recycling human waste will be crucial for long-term missions to Mars or the Moon. The design of this suit draws parallels to the stillsuits in “Dune,” highlighting the importance of water conservation in extreme environments.
The prototype is ready for testing in simulated microgravity conditions before deployment on actual space missions. Researchers are optimistic about the potential impact of this technology on deep space exploration and human presence beyond Earth. The study on this innovative suit was published in Frontiers in Space Technology, showcasing the progress in astronaut hygiene and resource efficiency for future space missions.
