SouthernWorldwide.com – The astronauts of the Artemis II mission have shared details about how they managed the toilet issues encountered during their groundbreaking journey around the moon. This discussion took place during a live question-and-answer session with children on “CBS Mornings.”
The plumbing problems aboard the Orion capsule became a significant talking point early in the Artemis mission. Issues with the toilet system began on the very first day of their voyage.
Initially, problems with the system’s fan were addressed. However, the vent line responsible for expelling waste into space subsequently froze. This blockage prevented the waste tank from emptying, creating a critical situation.
To resolve this, NASA flight controllers had to reorient the Orion capsule. The goal was to position it so that sunlight could warm the frozen vent line and alleviate the clog.
During a town hall held on Friday morning, a young questioner named Bridget, aged 9, inquired about how the crew handled these plumbing difficulties.
“What did you do when the toilet broke? Did you just let it fly around?” she asked, prompting laughter from the astronauts and the assembled audience.
Mission specialist Christina Koch explained that while she and her fellow astronauts, along with NASA engineers, worked diligently to find solutions, the crew aboard the Orion capsule relied on backup methods to maintain hygiene.
“Everything on the spaceship usually has a backup system,” Koch stated. “So, luckily, the engineers planned for that, and we used our backup system.” She added, “We got through it. It wasn’t as easy as our fancy, good toilet, but we made do.”
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The backup system in question consisted of “contingency collapsible urinals,” or CCUs. These are plastic containers designed to collect urine. The collected waste can then be vented into space at a later time.
According to previous reports from CBS News, each crew member is equipped with two of these CCUs. Veteran astronaut Don Pettit had previously commented on X that these CCUs effectively replace approximately 25 pounds of diapers.
Earlier in the town hall, pilot Victor Glover humorously remarked on the challenges faced. He joked that the crew was “constantly thinking about the constellation Urion,” a play on words referencing frozen urine droplets that remain in space after being vented.
Further questions regarding hygiene were raised throughout the town hall. “CBS Mornings” anchor Gayle King expressed her curiosity about how the astronauts managed personal cleanliness.
“How do you stay clean up there?” King asked. “Showers, birdbaths?”
“I think showers in space are great,” Koch responded. “Floating, water.”
Watch the full episode, “Things That Matter: A Town Hall with the Artemis Astronauts,” here.
