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…

  • @sregger
    link
    English
    71 year ago

    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.

    • @deviant
      link
      English
      71 year ago

      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

      • @sregger
        link
        English
        31 year ago

        But, given that’s the case, what do they do with the wastes? Is it shot out into space or brought back to earth?

        • @justsomeguy
          link
          English
          91 year ago

          Ever experienced a raindrop on the back of your neck? Straight from the ISS.

        • Jajcus
          link
          fedilink
          31 year ago

          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.

    • VegaLyrae
      link
      fedilink
      21 year ago

      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.