Novel spacesuits inspired by 'Dune' let astronauts drink pee-recycled water

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Left: Rokas Tenys | Dreamstime.com Right: Urine collection garment prototype, back (left) and front (right). Credit: Etlin, Bielski, Rose, Morales, Belman, Alexander, Li, Lin, Patel, Rakhmonova, Walter and Mason. (CC BY 4.0)

 

Scientists have unveiled a prototype spacesuit that can transform urine into drinkable water, according to a paper published in the Frontiers in Space Technology journal. This innovative technology, spearheaded by researchers from Cornell University, is set to redefine the future of space exploration.

 

The spacesuit, inspired by the science-fiction series ‘Dune’, is equipped with a futuristic device that recycles urine into potable water. This remarkable invention weighs around 8 kilograms and can purify half a liter of water in just five minutes. The system, including pumps, sensors, and a display screen, is powered by a 20.5-volt battery.

 

 

 

Image: Estimated energy consumption for the proposed system. Credit: Etlin, Bielski, Rose, Morales, Belman, Alexander, Li, Lin, Patel, Rakhmonova, Walter and Mason. (CC BY 4.0)

 

Current spacesuit designs incorporate a maximum absorbency garment, essentially a multilayered diaper, which has been known to cause discomfort and urinary tract infections. This new design, however, features a unique undergarment with a collection cup that routes urine into a filtration system. The filtered water is then enriched with electrolytes and sent into an in-suit drinking bag.

 

 

 

 

Image: Urine collection cup CAD models (Left: male version, right: female version). Credit: Etlin, Bielski, Rose, Morales, Belman, Alexander, Li, Lin, Patel, Rakhmonova, Walter and Mason. (CC BY 4.0)

 

This development is particularly significant for NASA’s future Artemis missions on the moon, where explorers are expected to spend extended periods on the lunar surface. The ability to recycle urine into drinking water could potentially solve the issue of water scarcity during long spacewalks.

 

As we marvel at this scientific breakthrough, one can’t help but wonder about the future implications of such technology. Could this be the key to sustainable living in space? And how might this influence the design of future spacesuits? We invite you to share your thoughts on this fascinating development.

 

 

Read more:

• https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/space-technologies/articles/10.3389/frspt.2024.1391200/full
• https://www.newscientist.com/article/2436542-astronauts-could-drink-their-own-urine-with-water-recycling-spacesuit/
• https://www.livescience.com/health/finally-astronauts-could-drink-their-pee-on-space-walks-thanks-to-clever-new-device
• https://www.sciencenews.org/article/dune-spacesuit-astronaut-pee-drinking-water

 

Source:  Frontiers in Space Technology journal / Etlin, Bielski, Rose, Morales, Belman, Alexander, Li, Lin, Patel, Rakhmonova, Walter and Mason. (CC BY 4.0)