Astronauts will drink from toilet ...

This is no longer an idea that is going to come true, maybe in early 2009. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said this fall, the shuttle will carry the shuttle system Endeavor. Turn urine into tap water to the International Space Station (ISS).

Water use on the ISS must be extremely economical. (Photo: NASA)

And if all goes well, the sewage recycling plant will serve the astronauts who work here for six months. NASA claims water from the system can be used for drinking, food processing, bathing, and cleaning of tap water in the United States.

Russia developed a similar system in the 1980s, but did not launch into space because of concerns that the astronauts would not accept. For years, drinking water on the ISS has not been clean enough: washing water evaporates and sweat, a machine (also manufactured in Russia) is absorbed and recycled into clean water.

NASA must build a new system with a cost of up to $ 250 million by next year, the number of long-term residents on the ISS from 3 will increase to 6 people. It is impossible to transport water to the ISS to serve the needs of these people, as the water is very heavy and can not carry large volumes.

The process of turning toilet water into drinking water can be summarized as follows: The wastewater is fed to the recycling system, where it is distilled into clear water and undergoes six cleaning steps, including the reduction step. bacteria by iodine. The system also absorbs moisture from the sweat and breath of the astronaut and cleanses it of the broth. The ' finished product ' will be piped to the living area and ' toilet center ' where astronauts bathe and brush their teeth. This water will meet about a half of astronauts daily water needs (average of 6.5 liters of water per person).

NASA acknowledges the need to 'do thought work' with astronauts, because the ' abominable ' mentality can make them wait more than drinking water from their own. However, NASA officials believe that the problem is not so great because after tasting them many times, they can not distinguish recycled urine from tap water.