Scientists In America Propose New System To Turn Urin Into Water In Space Clothing

Illustration of Scientists (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - A research team from Cornell University proposed a design of a space clothing waste management system that would recycle urine into drinking water.

The proposal has been published in the journal Frontiers in Space Technologies and argued that the system aims to achieve 75% water recovery (with a urine collection rate of 85%) while consuming less than 10 percent of the energy of the extravehicular mobility unit.

Through the use of forward and backward osmosis, this new system is expected to be able to filter the accumulated urine, separate all contaminants from the liquid and leave water which can then be reabsorbed.

This proposed system is expected to be a huge advantage for astronauts who carry out space activities for a long time. Moreover, there is little drinking water that can be stored in spacesuits.

In addition to the above, this system is also expected to help maintain cleanliness. The reason is, astronauts today have to rely on clothes with maximum absorption power (MAG), which is basically a high-absorption adult popok'.

Although its ability to absorb waste is in accordance with the requirements, MAG's adverse impact on astronauts' health and comfort has been widely documented. The researchers explained, while noting that astronauts often reduce the portion of eating or follow a low-resid diet for days before EVA to avoid using MAG, which can reduce their performance during physically demanding spacewalks" quoted from the words of the journal Frontiers.