Researchers develop spacesuit that can turn urine into drinking water: Report

Developed by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University, led by Sofia Etlin, the suit incorporates advanced technology. It features a vacuum-based external catheter and a combined forward-reverse osmosis unit to ensure a continuous supply of purified water directly to the astronaut via a drinking tube within five minutes of collection.

The initiative addresses critical challenges faced by astronauts, such as the limited water supply during prolonged lunar spacewalks, which can last up to 24 hours in emergencies.

“Astronauts currently have only one litre of water available in their in-suit drink bags,” Sofia Etlin, a researcher at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University and co-designer of the suit, was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

“This is insufficient for the planned longer-lasting lunar spacewalks, which can last 10 hours, and even up to 24 hours in an emergency,” Etlin added.

Current solutions like the maximum absorbency garment (MAG) have been criticised for their discomfort and leakage issues, prompting the need for more efficient waste management systems in space.

The compact and lightweight design of the system, weighing approximately 8kg and measuring 38cm by 23cm by 23cm, is deemed suitable for integration into spacesuits, providing essential hydration and comfort during missions. Researchers are set to conduct extensive tests with volunteers in New York to validate the system’s functionality and safety under simulated microgravity conditions before deployment in actual space missions.

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