A new spacesuit design inspired by a sci-fi classic, Dune, may revolutionize space exploration by converting urine into drinkable water. The innovative suit, created by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University, aims to provide astronauts with a sustainable source of potable water during lengthy spacewalks on upcoming lunar expeditions.
The prototype spacesuit features a vacuum-based external catheter connected to a combined forward-reverse osmosis unit, allowing for the continuous purification of urine into drinking water. This water can then be returned to the astronaut through a drinking tube within five minutes. The design includes multiple safety mechanisms to ensure the wellbeing of astronauts during their missions.
Nasa is currently gearing up for the Artemis III mission in 2026, which plans to land a crew on the lunar south pole. The ultimate goal is to launch crewed missions to Mars by the 2030s. This new spacesuit technology could play a crucial role in enabling astronauts to live and work on other worlds for extended periods of time.
The current system on the International Space Station (ISS) recycles urine and sweat, but a more efficient solution is needed for astronauts conducting spacewalks on the lunar surface. The new spacesuit design addresses this need by providing a compact and lightweight system that can be carried on the back of the spacesuit.
One of the main advantages of the new spacesuit design is the elimination of the current waste management solution, the maximum absorbency garment (MAG), which astronauts have complained about for being leak-prone, uncomfortable, and unhygienic. With the new system, astronauts will no longer have to rely on adult nappies during their missions.
The proposed stillsuit system consists of a collection cup made of moulded silicone, designed to fit around the genitalia, along with an undergarment made of flexible fabric. A moisture-activated vacuum pump automatically initiates the urine collection process, diverting the urine to a filtration system where it is recycled into water with an efficiency of 87%.
Testing of the new spacesuit technology is set to begin in New York with 100 volunteers in the autumn. These tests will simulate microgravity conditions to ensure the system’s functionality and safety before it is deployed on actual space missions. The results of the prototype testing will be published in the journal Frontiers in Space Technology.
With the development of this groundbreaking spacesuit technology, astronauts may soon have access to a sustainable source of drinking water during their missions to the moon and beyond. This innovation could pave the way for future space exploration and colonization, ensuring the health and safety of astronauts as they venture into the unknown reaches of outer space.
