Oh no, you're thinking, yet another cookie pop-up. Well, sorry, it's the law. We measure how many people read us, and ensure you see relevant ads, by storing cookies on your device. If you're cool with that, hit “Accept all Cookies”. For more info and to customize your settings, hit “Customize Settings”.

Review and manage your consent

Here's an overview of our use of cookies, similar technologies and how to manage them. You can also change your choices at any time, by hitting the “Your Consent Options” link on the site's footer.

Manage Cookie Preferences
  • These cookies are strictly necessary so that you can navigate the site as normal and use all features. Without these cookies we cannot provide you with the service that you expect.

  • These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. They perform functions like preventing the same ad from continuously reappearing, ensuring that ads are properly displayed for advertisers, and in some cases selecting advertisements that are based on your interests.

  • These cookies collect information in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used. They allow us to count visits and traffic sources so that we can measure and improve the performance of our sites. If people say no to these cookies, we do not know how many people have visited and we cannot monitor performance.

See also our Cookie policy and Privacy policy.

This article is more than 1 year old

ISS 'naut: How we collect our POO and DROP it FLAMING on hapless Earthlings

Café au urine quaffer shows off spaceborne khazi

Italy's first female astronaut, Samantha Cristoforetti, has offered the internet a full talkthrough on one of the International Space Station's most famous and terrifying facilities: its lavatory.

Headlined the "International Space Station toilet tour", Cristoforetti's video explains how a fan creates suction to avoid smells and floating waste.

The – ahem – more solid waste astronauts produce is stored and put in cargo ferries which will burn up when the spacecraft leaves the Space Station. The astronauts' urine is recycled into drinking water.

Having been beamed up to the ISS last November, Cristoforetti has had ample opportunity to enjoy "yesterday's coffee".

Describing comfortable seating as unnecessary when weightless, Cristoforetti explains how most of those onboard enjoy shooting directly into the opening of the lavatory.

There is a courtesy rota when exchanging the plastic bags used to contain their turds, and a healthy attitude to communal hygiene.

International Space Station toilet tour

Cristoforetti had used up most of her personal baggage allowance with a Star Trek uniform she has proudly worn aboard the ISS. Cristoforetti is a captain in the Italian Air Force.

Along with US astronaut Terry Virts and Russian flight commander Anton Shkaplerov, Samantha Cristoforetti is leaving the ISS today and will be landing in Kazakhstan shortly, following the successful completion of the five-month mission. ®

 

Similar topics

Similar topics

Similar topics

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like