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Image above: The STS-119 astronauts pose for a formal portrait. Seen
are Commander Lee Archambault (right) and Pilot Tony Antonelli (front
row); Mission Specialists Joseph Acaba, John Phillips, Steve Swanson,
Richard Arnold and from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency,
astronaut Koichi Wakata (top row). Photo credit: NASA/JSC
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Recycling will be an essential part of daily life for future astronauts, whether
on board the space station or living on the moon. By recycling, the system
reduces the dependence on Earth resupply by cutting the amount of water
and consumables needed to be launched by about 15,000 pounds, or
6,800 kilograms, a year.
Through a series of chemical treatment processes and filters, the Water
Recovery System creates water clean enough to drink. In fact, part of the
same process has been used in Third World countries to produce
drinkable water.
A distillation process is used to recover water from urine. The process
occurs within a rotating distillation assembly that compensates for the
absence of gravity, aiding in the separation of liquids and gases in space.
Once distilled, the water from the urine processor is combined with other
waste-waters and delivered to the water processor for treatment.
The water processor removes free gas and solid materials such as hair
and lint, before the water goes through a series of filtration beds for further
purification. Any remaining organic contaminants and microorganisms are
removed by a high-temperature catalytic reaction. These rigorous treatment
processes create water that meets stringent purity standards for human
consumption.
SOURCE New Water Reclamation System Headed for Duty on Space
Station NASA.GOV May 12, 2008
on board the space station or living on the moon. By recycling, the system
reduces the dependence on Earth resupply by cutting the amount of water
and consumables needed to be launched by about 15,000 pounds, or
6,800 kilograms, a year.
Through a series of chemical treatment processes and filters, the Water
Recovery System creates water clean enough to drink. In fact, part of the
same process has been used in Third World countries to produce
drinkable water.
A distillation process is used to recover water from urine. The process
occurs within a rotating distillation assembly that compensates for the
absence of gravity, aiding in the separation of liquids and gases in space.
Once distilled, the water from the urine processor is combined with other
waste-waters and delivered to the water processor for treatment.
The water processor removes free gas and solid materials such as hair
and lint, before the water goes through a series of filtration beds for further
purification. Any remaining organic contaminants and microorganisms are
removed by a high-temperature catalytic reaction. These rigorous treatment
processes create water that meets stringent purity standards for human
consumption.
SOURCE New Water Reclamation System Headed for Duty on Space
Station NASA.GOV May 12, 2008
Spaceman drinks
purified urine.
purified urine.
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"Victoria crater" Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell SPACE
HOME (Space)
NASA spots
'gamma ray-only'
pulsar
The Indian's Space
Program
Spaceman drinks
urine
Water Purification
Black Hole
Apophis
Planets
Mars-Methane
NASA spots
'gamma ray-only'
pulsar
The Indian's Space
Program
Spaceman drinks
urine
Water Purification
Black Hole
Apophis
Planets
Mars-Methane