You don’t often think about things like this. Outside of jokes on The Big Bang Theory or something similar, most of us don’t think about space toilets. Thankfully, NASA does.
Next week they are scheduled to send up a new space potty to be tested on the International Space Station before being deployed on trips to the moon.
The old design has been around for a while now and was designed for men. With more female astronauts, there was a need for a different design, and things needed to be updated. Apparently, this has all been taken care of… for a mere $23 million.
Let’s face it, this is not something you want to have malfunction while in space. It’s not like you can just slip out behind the nearest bush. And in zero gravity… well, I’m sure you can imagine.
The need for this is also tied to the fact they are going to start sending more people up into space. And with space tourism looming, that also creates a greater demand for more and better toilets.
But it’s one of those things that many of us earth bound beings just don’t think much about. We think we should already be on our way to Mars or other destination. But there are a lot of details to work out before we just hop on a rocket and head out. Things that don’t even occur to us on Earth could pose major issues in space.
Which is why I think I’ll just stay here, thanks. I wonder if a toilet brush was included in the price?
