New NASA machine turns urine to water
Siobhan O'Leary
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: News
When the space shuttle Endeavor took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida it was carrying something different; a machine that turns urine into drinking water.
The machine, based on a one used in northern Iraq, cost NASA 250 million dollars to build. NASA expects that the machine will convert six gallons of waste water to potable water each day.
Normally the International Space Station crew uses water made as a byproduct of the station's electrical system or water launched to the space station; however, NASA only has ten more flights scheduled. After 2010, the only way to go to the space station will be to use the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. NASA plans to have their next generation of space transportation, the lunar-capable Orion vehicle, ready four years after the shuttle program ends.
According to Marybeth Edeen, the manager of hardware development at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, "Astronauts who have sampled the water say it's odd because it has zero taste and seems flat." The system's lead engineer, Bob Bagdigian, said, "We did blind taste tests of the water. Nobody had any strong objections. Other than a faint taste of iodine, it is just as refreshing as any other kind of water. I've got some in my fridge. It tastes fine to me."
The Endeavor was launched into orbit on Friday, November 14. The Endeavor's purpose was not only to transport the water machine; it is also bringing two bedrooms, a refrigerator, a second toilet, and gym equipment. In addition, the crew will perform four space walks to repair one of the International Space Station's solar wings during their fifteen day mission. Astronaut Gregory Chamitoff, who has been on the space station since June, will be replaced by Sandra Magnus.
The machine, based on a one used in northern Iraq, cost NASA 250 million dollars to build. NASA expects that the machine will convert six gallons of waste water to potable water each day.
Normally the International Space Station crew uses water made as a byproduct of the station's electrical system or water launched to the space station; however, NASA only has ten more flights scheduled. After 2010, the only way to go to the space station will be to use the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. NASA plans to have their next generation of space transportation, the lunar-capable Orion vehicle, ready four years after the shuttle program ends.
According to Marybeth Edeen, the manager of hardware development at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, "Astronauts who have sampled the water say it's odd because it has zero taste and seems flat." The system's lead engineer, Bob Bagdigian, said, "We did blind taste tests of the water. Nobody had any strong objections. Other than a faint taste of iodine, it is just as refreshing as any other kind of water. I've got some in my fridge. It tastes fine to me."
The Endeavor was launched into orbit on Friday, November 14. The Endeavor's purpose was not only to transport the water machine; it is also bringing two bedrooms, a refrigerator, a second toilet, and gym equipment. In addition, the crew will perform four space walks to repair one of the International Space Station's solar wings during their fifteen day mission. Astronaut Gregory Chamitoff, who has been on the space station since June, will be replaced by Sandra Magnus.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Pintoo bhai
posted 11/18/08 @ 2:08 AM EST
Dear Kalimpong,
I am very happy to know the story.I have so much urine.Want to sell it off.Will u buy ? best quality.Very cheap.
Pintoo bhai
cord
posted 3/05/09 @ 4:24 PM EST
how dose this thing work, tell me as fast as you can
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