NASA decided that it was way cheaper to purchase a space station toilet system than to built one from scratch – forking out $19 million dollars to the Russians in the process. This new toilet is expected to arrive at the space station next year, offering more privacy than what is currently afforded to the crew which will baloon to six by 2009. This space station toilet system will be installed on the American side, where the Russian side will still maintain the current toilet system. It is interesting to note that a space toilet looks pretty much the same like those found on earth, save for the addition of leg restraints and thigh bars that keep both astronauts and cosmonauts from floating away. Fans provide pulling power to suck waste into the commode as well. Talk about a toilet that’s literally out of this world!
Filed in ..