screwsucceeded in developing a technology that turns urine and sweat into drinking water.
Recently, NASA researchers developed the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). The ECLSS includes a water recovery system, the Water Processor Assembly (WPA), and a moisture collection unit. It also recovers water from urine and cabin air through the urine and brine handler assemblies. The treatment of urine is similar to that of above-ground water systems. According to NASA, the distillation process produces a urine brine that contains water and oxygen.
“The process is fundamentally similar to some ground water distribution systems, only in microgravity,” said Jill Williamson, a NASA research associate. Drink water. We put in a lot of processes and went through a lot of ground tests to give you confidence that we are producing clean drinking water.” Also, International Space Station official Christopher Brown said, “If you collect 45 kilograms of water on the space station, you lose 907 grams of it, and the remaining 98% is recycled.”
These regenerative systems have an important role in resource recovery in long-duration space missions. “The importance of regenerative ECLSS systems becomes even more important once you get out of low-Earth orbit,” said Williamson. According to him, the inability to resupply during exploration means that all resources needed for the exploration mission must be recoverable. This is because the less water and oxygen that needs to be sent, the more science equipment can be loaded onto the launch vehicle. ECLSS’ reliable and robust regeneration system helps the crew focus on the true intent of the mission while aboard.
NASA is developing a life support system to provide necessary water and air to the crew during space missions beyond low Earth orbit. The research is being continuously tested on the International Space Station.
