Dune-Inspired Spacesuit Recycles Urine Into Clean Drinking Water
What inspired Cornell scientists to design a new spacesuit?
Cornell scientists were inspired by the full-body "stillsuits" worn in the Dune sci-fi movies to design a prototype urine collection and filtration system for a spacesuit4. The system aims to recycle urine into drinkable water, allowing astronauts to carry out longer spacewalks and potentially be utilized in upcoming NASA's Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars.
How does the new spacesuit recycle urine into drinkable water?
The new spacesuit prototype collects urine through a unisex external catheter and processes it using a combination of forward-reverse osmosis filtration. The system removes salt and other impurities, resulting in purified water that is enriched with electrolytes and ready for consumption. This recycling process allows astronauts to reuse their urine as drinking water during spacewalks, extending the duration of missions and improving hygiene.
What benefits does the new spacesuit provide for astronauts?
The new spacesuit provides several benefits for astronauts, including a continuous supply of potable water through a vacuum-based external catheter and a combined forward-reverse osmosis unit. This portable system filters 500 milliliters of urine in about five minutes, with different collection methods for women and men. This innovation allows astronauts to prolong their spacewalks more comfortably and could be invaluable for future Moon and Mars missions.