Water is a vital resource for sustaining human life, and it is necessary for many other purposes on board the space station, such as maintaining humidity levels and providing cooling for equipment. The International Space Station (ISS) has a Water Recovery System (WRS) that recycles urine and sweat back into drinking water. Solid waste is also collected and processed to produce water vapor that is vented out into space.
Additionally, the ISS has two Russian-built Elektron oxygen generators that use electrolysis to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen gas is vented out into space, while the oxygen is used for breathing air on the station.
The International Space Station has a water recycling system that takes urine and sweat and recycles it into drinking water. The system can recycle about 85% of the water on board, which means that astronauts have to drink their own recycled urine!
How Do They Get Water in Space
water in space
It is a common misconception that astronauts only drink water in space. While it is true that they consume a lot of water, they also eat and drink other things.
Here is a list of what astronauts typically consume in space:
Water: Astronauts need to stay hydrated just like people on Earth. They drink about 8-10 cups of water per day.
Some of this water comes from the food they eat, but most of it comes from their personal supply which they keep with them on their space suit.
Food: Astronauts eat both solid and liquid food while in space. They have access to a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, meat, grains, dairy, and more.They typically eat 3 meals per day with snacks in between.
Just like on Earth, astronaut’s diets are carefully planned to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need.
Drinks: In addition to water, astronauts also drink coffee, tea, milk, and fruit juice. These drinks help them stay hydrated and provide them with additional energy and nutrients throughout the day.
How Does Water Get on the Space Station
Water is a vital resource for the International Space Station and its crew. Without water, astronauts would not be able to live and work in space. The space station has a complex system for recycling water that includes filters and purification devices.
Here’s a look at how water flows through the space station and how it gets there in the first place.
Water on Earth comes from many sources, including lakes, rivers, oceans, underground aquifers, and rain or snowfall.
The Water is Stored Onboard the Space Station in Tanks
The water is stored onboard the space station in tanks. The tanks are made of a special material that can hold water without leaking. The tanks are filled with water from Earth before the space station is launched.
The water is used for drinking, cooking, and washing.
Conclusion
The International Space Station has a complex water system that recycles urine and sweat to provide astronauts with drinking water. Urine is collected in a tank and then filtered to remove impurities. The resulting water is mixed with distilled water and sent through a series of filters to remove bacteria.
The final product is stored in a tank until it is needed.
