For the four astronauts going back to Earth on NASA’s Artemis II mission, their trip back to Earth is much “personal.”
Although checks of the Orion spacecraft from the lunar flyby and deep-space systems have been almost flawless, the crew is currently dealing with a high-tech headache: a failing $23 million Universal Waste Management System (UWMS).
The “Burning” Warning Sign
The trouble started soon after liftoff from Cape Canaveral. Astronaut Christina Koch noted a "burning heater smell," coming from the waste unit. The problem continued, even after a system reboot and control adjustments orchestrated with Mission Control in Houston.
NASA has confirmed that the problem is strictly a urine problem. While the fecal disposal system working through a separate conduit is operating as intended, the spacecraft cannot flush the wastewater into space.
The Problem: Chemistry vs. Cold
Scientists had initially suspected ice might be blocking the system’s external filters. To overcome this, the Orion capsule was rotated toward the sun to "bake" the system, though the blockage persisted.
The existing leading theory indicates a chemical reaction. The system relies on specific chemicals to inhibit the growth of biofilms and microorganisms in the wastewater tank. That chemistry may have accidentally turned into trash that has lodged itself inside the sensitive filtration system, explains NASA flight director Rick Henfling.
Plan B: The “Collapsible Contingency”
Now with the primary flush system off and splashdown three days down the road, the crew has turned to “alternate means.”
- The Solution: Astronauts are turning to “collapsible contingency urine disposal devices” effectively specialized reusable bags.
- Privacy Factor: The toilet fits under the Orion’s floor and is the only private area in the five-meter-wide capsule. But because of the suction systems necessary for microgravity and narrow spaces, the crew have to wear ear protection while in use.
"I’m a Space Plumber"
Olfactory and technical difficulties aside, the crew is uplifting their spirits. Christina Koch jovially welcomed her new job in a briefing from space. “I definitely consider myself a space plumber,” Koch said and said the toilet is “probably the most important piece of equipment on board.”
Root Cause Analysis Awaits Splashdown
The Artemis II mission is going to splash down in the Pacific Ocean this Friday. After retrieval, NASA’s engineers will dismantle the system immediately.
“We will be able to get inside as soon as we get this down on the ground, and we will get to the root of the problem,” said Lori Glaze, an associate administrator at NASA. For now, even the world’s most elite “plumbers” are excited to get back to Earth and have working bathrooms.
