A groundbreaking Sci-Fi Spacesuit inspired by science fiction is set to revolutionize lunar expeditions by recycling urine into drinking water, enabling astronauts to undertake extended spacewalks.
Innovative “Stillsuit” Technology
Drawing inspiration from the “stillsuits” in the sci-fi classic Dune, this prototype Sci-Fi Spacesuit can collect, purify, and return urine as drinking water within five minutes. The suit’s creators aim to have it ready for use in NASA’s Artemis program, which focuses on sustaining human presence on the Moon.
Sofia Etlin, a researcher at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University and a co-designer of the suit, explained, “The design includes a vacuum-based external catheter leading to a combined forward-reverse osmosis unit, providing a continuous supply of potable water with multiple safety mechanisms to ensure astronaut wellbeing.”
Addressing Current Challenges
NASA’s Artemis III mission, slated for 2026, plans to land a crew on the lunar south pole with the goal of launching manned missions to Mars by the 2030s. While the International Space Station (ISS) already recycles urine and sweat, Etlin highlights the need for a similar system for astronauts on extended lunar expeditions.
“Astronauts currently have only one liter of water available in their in-suit drink bags,” Etlin said. “This is insufficient for the planned longer-lasting lunar spacewalks, which can last 10 hours, and even up to 24 hours in an emergency.”
The current waste management solution, the maximum absorbency garment (MAG), has faced criticism for being leak-prone and uncomfortable. Some astronauts even limit food and drink intake before spacewalks to avoid using the MAG, which has led to urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Real “Dune” Spacesuits Can Turn Astronauts’ Urine Into Drinking Water | Firstpost America
Future Implications and Testing
Etlin pointed out that future commercial astronauts might be less tolerant of the current solutions. “If you’re giving NASA billions of dollars, you’d think they wouldn’t keep the diaper,” she said, adding that many astronauts have voiced concerns about the discomfort and hygiene issues associated with the MAG.
Prof Christopher Mason of Weill Cornell Medicine, the study’s senior author, emphasized the practicality of the new system: “Even in the absence of a large desert planet, like in Dune, this is something that could be better for astronauts.”
The proposed stillsuit system features a silicone collection cup designed to fit around the genitalia, available in different shapes and sizes for men and women. This cup connects to a moisture-activated vacuum pump that activates as soon as urination begins. The urine is then diverted to a filtration system, where it is recycled into water with an efficiency of 87%.
Ensuring Functionality and Safety
The entire system, weighing approximately 8kg, is compact enough to be carried on the back of a Sci-Fi Spacesuit. The team plans to recruit 100 volunteers in New York this autumn to test the system for comfort and functionality.
“Our system can be tested in simulated microgravity conditions, as microgravity is the primary space factor we must account for,” Mason said. “These tests will ensure the system’s functionality and safety before it is deployed in actual space missions.”
This innovative solution promises to enhance the feasibility and comfort of long-duration space missions, marking a significant advancement in space exploration technology.
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