- cross-posted to:
- joeroganexperience
- [email protected]
- cross-posted to:
- joeroganexperience
- [email protected]
This week, NASA revealed that the International Space Station’s Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) is recycling 98 percent of all water astronauts bring aboard the station…
Hmm… I had one question from the get go. But it was not answered by the article. Namely what happens the remaining 2%? They say there’s a chance to recovery it in the future but not what they do with it currently.
Also, nice stillsuit reference.
I think this has to do with the fact that water soluble wastes are harder to remove from water but easier to concentrate. I’m no chemistry expert but I think that’s why
But, given that’s the case, what do they do with the wastes? Is it shot out into space or brought back to earth?
Ever experienced a raindrop on the back of your neck? Straight from the ISS.
Most trash is burnt in atmosphere when the one-way supply ships are disposed (de-orbited in a controlled way). Some waste samples are probably brought down for examination.
You already have good answers here, but it’s also important to remember that the ISS isn’t a perfect seal.
Small amounts of gasses are lost all the time, which is simply the nature of trying to keep small molecules in one place.