NASA is still on the hunt for its next spacesuits, but new research brings a Dune-inspired spacewear for astronauts that can do more than protect them from harsh conditions, but also collect their urine and turn it into drinking water. The latest study has already developed a prototype that promises to deliver this kind of technology, among the first for spacesuits.
The technology for recycling astronaut pee into drinking water has already been applied to the International Space Station, making it more self-sufficient for its residents.
Dune-Inspired Spacesuits Can Recycle Urine Into Drinking Water
NASA
A study from a research staff member, Sofia Etlin, of Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University unveiled a prototype inspired by the sci-fi movie Dune, particularly its stillsuits, offering a spacesuit that can recycle urine into drinking water for astronauts to safely consume.
The study was recently published in Frontiers, a scientific journal, and the study revealed that the new spacesuit features a "vacuum-based external catheter" that delivers the human waste into a forward-reverse osmosis unit that can recycle the wearer's pee.
According to the study, current spacesuits offer the "MAG" (maximum absorbency garment) that allows astronauts to do their business during spacewalks, but these may cause hygiene problems and discomfort.
Next-Gen Spacesuits with Recycling: How Does It Work?
The next-gen spacesuits can deliver a "continuous supply" of water safe for astronauts to drink, with the suits also equipped with various "safety mechanisms" that will ensure their well-being. Instead of being absorbed by the garment, this new system will transform it into drinking water using a new filtration system and a catch cup made for men and women.
It is said that it offers 87 percent efficiency in its filtration system and can deliver 500 milliliters of potable water in under five minutes. This would be suitable for longer spacewalks without running out of drinking water or the need to go back to stations.
Self-Sufficient Systems for Space Missions
NASA has spent years developing systems to help its astronauts, especially with the technology sent to the ISS, with a life support system among the many available there.
Last year, NASA achieved a significant milestone by developing more of the ISS's technology to support life in the orbiting laboratory by implementing a water recovery system onboard. This specific milestone saw a 98 percent water recovery rate on the ISS, and this is by recycling astronauts' sweat and urine into usable water, potable for its residents.
The importance of having a self-sufficient system or set of systems onboard the ISS is massive for the future of the space race, especially in the plans for holding deep space explorations in the future. The latest study now delivered a prototype similar to Dune's stillsuits for next-gen spacesuits, one that can hold urine, recycle it, and make it drinkable for astronauts so they stay hydrated even when away from their stations or vehicles.
