Artemis 2: A New Era of Lunar Exploration
The Artemis 2 mission, targeting an April 1 liftoff, will send four astronauts on a 10-day trip around the moon in NASA's Orion capsule.
This marks the first crewed flight to lunar realms since Apollo 17 in December 1972.
The crew for this historic journey includes NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Enhanced Space Hygiene: A Leap from Apollo
Unlike their Apollo predecessors who relied on basic methods like roll-on cuffs for urination and plastic bags for defecation in the open, the Artemis 2 crew will benefit from significant advancements in onboard hygiene. They will have access to a dedicated hygiene bay, designed with crew comfort and privacy in mind.
This new space is equipped with a door, offering a much-needed sense of seclusion.
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen described it as "the one place that we can go during the mission where we can actually feel like we're alone for a moment."
Design and Functionality Details
Located on the capsule's floor, the hygiene bay is approximately the size of a lavatory on a small passenger jet. In microgravity, astronauts will simply float to and enter the bay. For situations requiring additional space or privacy, curtains are also available.
Orion's toilet system is modeled after the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), successfully utilized on the U.S. segment of the International Space Station (ISS).
Urine Management
The system features a long, flexible urine hose with individual funnels for each astronaut. Critically, airflow – not gravity – directs urine through the system. Due to the mission's relatively short duration, collected urine will be vented into space multiple times daily.
Solid Waste Management
For solid waste, feces are sucked into a bag contained within a canister. These bags are then sealed, compacted, and stored inside the canister. To maintain hygiene throughout the mission, the canister will be changed out several times and ultimately returned to Earth.
Contingency Plans: Prepared for Anything
The Orion hygiene bay is making its spaceflight debut with Artemis 2, as it was not included in the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission. Should any equipment malfunction occur, contingency urine collection bags are readily available. These represent a fallback to Apollo-era waste disposal methods, ensuring crew well-being. Even if its primary systems are compromised, the toilet can still be used for other functions, such as venting urine overboard.