On Saturday, the space shuttle Discovery and its crew of seven returned to Earth, successfully wrapping up a construction mission at the international space station.
Discovery's 13-day flight was highlighted by the installation and unfurling of the station's last pair of solar wings. The $300 million addition brought the orbiting outpost up to full power, a vital part of NASA's plan to double the space station population and boost the amount of science research in a few months.
Working solar wings are one thing, but what about that thing pictured to the right? That silver contraption with bright yellow CAUTION stickers all over it? The thing casually mentioned at the very end of an article about Discovery's mission?
That's a recycling machine. Inside are four to five liters of recycled water that had been the astronauts' urine and sweat. NASA hopes to have the water samples tested within a month. If the toxicology results are good, the three space station residents will start drinking the recycled water again. AGAIN. Apparently the residents have been drinking this water for some time, but the old recycling machine broke.
How'd they know the recycling machine had broken? The water taste funny? How'd they get their urine and sweat into that thing?
The Sassistas!TM know that the global water shortage is a very serious crisis, but would you drink your own urine and sweat? Straight up? One olive or two?
About a month ago, the Sassistas! were going to publish a post about a new drink in India made from cow urine, but decided not to. We're not kidding. Read all about it:
http://in.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idINDEL43615120090212
Then our eye caught the news about recycled water in space and we could no longer avoid the topic. How many of you already knew about this?
What about you, Jersey?
Posted by: Flannista | March 30, 2009 at 05:06 AM
How'd the astronauts gather their sweat? Using this thing?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2705543986_57252401e5.jpg
Posted by: Flannista | March 30, 2009 at 05:07 AM
A concept right out of Herbert's "Dune"! In his book the urine and sweat (and breath moisture) was collected by a body suit that reprocessed it all.
Posted by: Jerseysista | March 30, 2009 at 09:15 AM
Can't say what I'd do if I was desperate. My therapist is fond of saying a thirsty man will gladly accept urine in the desert. Make your own application to that one.
I've been known to share someone's toothbrush before. Doesn't really bother me, but most people won't cross that line.
Heard about this recycling deal, and I believe we have the technology. I've no clue how they collect the sweat though.
Posted by: babysis | March 30, 2009 at 09:23 AM
Jersey -- in that "Dune" body suit . . . you spit into your helmut or something? How'd they get the spittle?
babysis -- like Carolyn, I would drink goat piss before a Coors Light, though they are one and the same thing.
I've used someone else's toothbrush before. Yeah, I crossed that line.
Accidently ate dawg food once. Beats beets.
Posted by: Flannista | March 30, 2009 at 09:53 AM
In Dune it was some sort of cannula/nose clip sort of thingy and everyone was taught to breath through their noses and to open their mouths only to speak. Actually, come to think of it, more than breath comes through the nose. Just think of all those sneezes preserved!
Posted by: Jerseysista | March 30, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Jersey, I'd rather snot think about that.
Posted by: Flannista | March 30, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Dune "stillsuit":
http://images.elfwood.com/art/j/a/jayjay/jjj_dune.jpg
Posted by: Jerseysista | March 30, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Jersey -- wouldn't these be more convenient?
http://images.auctionworks.com/hi/66/65534/spittoon.jpg
Posted by: Flannista | March 30, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Let me chew on it. I'll get "bac" to you.
Posted by: Jerseysista | March 30, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Oh, my! As I understood it, I thought they extracted the excess humidity in the contained atmosphere of the modules -- and of course, they can easily collect all the urine produced.
I've heard stories of people marooned at sea or in the desert who survived by drinking their urine. Pretty horrible thought!
And yep, I've used another's toothbrush, as long as I have Listerine around to disinfect it...
Posted by: Chrysosistah | March 30, 2009 at 10:19 AM
I believe that our public sewage treatment plants release cleaned waste water back into the drinking water supply chain. Unless you have a well, your drinking water has likely been through a filtering process,too. I think that it is not a process unique to astronauts.
Flann, when the treatment plant fails in any way, you can both see and taste it in the water. That has happened here.
Posted by: PEACEsista | March 30, 2009 at 11:50 AM
What about bottled water? The real deal of parts of all of us?
Posted by: Flannista | March 30, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Flann, don't you know by now, bottled water comes straight from a tap in WEEhawken, NJ.
Posted by: Matissta | March 30, 2009 at 02:56 PM
Does Jerseysista know this? I mean, can folks who live in Jersey tap their water lines right to WEEhawken and not have to fuss with bottles?
Posted by: Flannista | March 30, 2009 at 03:14 PM
We know better. Would YOU knowingly get your water from a place called WEEhawkin? Sounds like that pig hawkin' "wee, wee, wee, all the way home."
Posted by: Jerseysista | March 30, 2009 at 03:53 PM
All I can say about today's post is that lizards can really jump far.
Posted by: Westsista | March 30, 2009 at 04:21 PM
SWEET JESUS, I LAUGHED RIGHT OUT LOUD, WESTSISTA, AND LAWD KNOWS I NEEDED TO LAUGH TODAY! (You'll find out why in tomorrow's post.)
Hey West, for someone down in the dumps, you sure as shit can really jump far yourself.
Love, love, love you, baby doll.
Posted by: Flannista | March 30, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Sure is better than Coors Light. Though ingredients could be what is in Coors Light.
There is only one Coors. Coors 'O'. Coors Original. Coors real banquet beer. Used to be sold in 11 ounce bottles. Even had pony cans.
If anyone visits the Noway/Peace home, Coors O is what is in the fridge. Coors Light is up in space for a reason. Wish it would stay there where it belongs.
Posted by: nowayasista | March 30, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Can't wait to pop one open with ya, noway. Thanks, pardner.
Posted by: Flannista | March 31, 2009 at 05:23 AM
Thanks Flann. I LOVE thinking about making you laugh. And triple love right back at ya! xoxo
Posted by: Westsista | March 31, 2009 at 06:47 AM