NASA has launched a contest for the development of a new space toilet capable of operating both in the absence of gravity and in lunar microgravity.
The conquest of space also passes through the toilet. NASA has launched a competition for the design of a new generation of toilets capable of improving the hygienic conditions on board Artemis spacecraft. These modules will be used for the mission of the same name which, in 2024, will take man back to the Moon. The competition organized by NASA is called Moon Loo Challenge and is aimed at engineers from all over the world. The challenge consists in developing a space toilet capable of functioning both in the absence of gravity and in lunar microgravity. The term “Microgravity” refers to the fact that even where we would ideally expect a perfect weightlessness (for example, on the Moon) this does not actually happen. In other words, even in systems where weight is expected to be zero, small deviations from the ideal condition that lead bodies to have small weight values actually occur. The space toilets used to date are able to function either in the absence of gravity or in microgravity. Not in both cases: and this is precisely the challenge launched by NASA.
You might also be interested in —> Help NASA to drive Curiosity on Mars
NASA launches a competition for the “space toilet”
The best idea, to be proposed to the official NASA website by August 17th, will be developed. A to the first three classified will go a prize of 35 thousand dollars together with a special mention. “While NASA is preparing for our return to the Moon, countless activities are underway to equip, host and support future astronauts. These astronauts will eat and drink, and then urinate and defecate in microgravity and lunar gravity. While the astronauts are in their cabin and out of their spacesuits, they will need a bathroom that has all the same capabilities as those here on Earth. NASA turns to the global community to design compact toilets that can operate in both microgravity and lunar gravity. These designs can be adapted for use aboard Artemis spacecraft that take us back to the Moon. Although space toilets already exist and are in use (e.g. on the International Space Station), they are designed for microgravity only. NASA’s Human Landing System Program is looking for a new generation device that is smaller, more efficient and capable of operating in both microgravity and lunar gravity. This challenge includes a technical category and a Junior category”.
You might also be interested —> NASA and SpaceX launch two astronauts to the Space Station