Space Station Crapper on the Fritz

ciaobox2007 · 05-27-2008, 06:31 PM

Space station toilet on the fritz - CNN.com

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The international space station's lone toilet is broken, leaving the crew with almost nowhere to go. So NASA may order an in-orbit plumbing service call when space shuttle Discovery visits next week.

Until then, the three-man crew will have to make do with a jury-rigged system when they need to urinate.

While one of the crew was using the Russian-made toilet last week, the toilet motor fan stopped working, according to NASA. Since then, the liquid waste gathering part of the toilet has been working on-and-off.

Fortunately, the solid waste collecting part is functioning normally.

Russian officials don't know the cause of the problem, and the crew has been unable to fix it.

The crew has used the toilet on the Soyuz return capsule, but it has a limited capacity. They are now are using a backup bag-like collection system that can be connected to the broken toilet, according to NASA public affairs officials.

"Like any home anywhere, the importance of having a working bathroom is obvious," NASA spokesman Allard Beutel said.

The 7-year-old toilet has broken once before but not for as long a time, said Johnson Space Center spokeswoman Nicole Cloutier in Houston.

Cloutier said NASA officials are considering having some parts flown to Cape Canaveral, Florida, and placed in the shuttle during its countdown, an unusual and delicate situation. Because the shuttle's payload weight is limited and balance carefully calculated, it will be tricky to try to figure out where the parts can go, said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bill Johnson.

Malkavian · 05-27-2008, 06:54 PM

You americans are no better. I just clogged my toilet again, and i'm not even in space.

Titanium Cat · 05-27-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malkavian

You americans are no better. I just clogged my toilet again, and i'm not even in space.

Yeah but at least you can go outside to pee.

Malkavian · 05-27-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titanium Cat

Yeah but at least you can go outside to pee.

They can pee in their space suites. Those should be leak proof. I hope.

Titanium Cat · 05-27-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malkavian

They can pee in their space suites. Those should be leak proof. I hope.

How much storage would each suit provide though? After a week or so I figure they would be pretty full.

Malkavian · 05-27-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titanium Cat

How much storage would each suit provide though? After a week or so I figure they would be pretty full.

If they took it outside, the pee would freeze and they would shake it out. Space ice sculpture - new art form. No shit (since that bit appears to be working). Then recycle the suit.

The_Heretic · 05-27-2008, 10:35 PM

Robin Williams was decades ahead of his time:

"Everytime the space shuttle goes up the toilet goes up. Can't they deal with casomic caca!? 'Ah, Shuttle to Huston we got a problem here.' 'What's the problem?' 'Ah, well, let's just say the shit's hit the fan up here... and the fan's on high if you catch my drift.' Astronauts going, 'Whoa!... Zow! Toro-toro!' And they always run it through the computer! 'Ah, have you run it through the computer?' 'Ah, yessir.' 'Well what did it say?' 'Giggle the handle?' 'Fuck that! We're going outside.'" -Robin Williams, LIVE

PursuitOfHappinessParty · 05-28-2008, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Heretic

Robin Williams was decades ahead of his time:

"Everytime the space shuttle goes up the toilet goes up. Can't they deal with casomic caca!? 'Ah, Shuttle to Huston we got a problem here.' 'What's the problem?' 'Ah, well, let's just say the shit's hit the fan up here... and the fan's on high if you catch my drift.' Astronauts going, 'Whoa!... Zow! Toro-toro!' And they always run it through the computer! 'Ah, have you run it through the computer?' 'Ah, yessir.' 'Well what did it say?' 'Giggle the handle?' 'Fuck that! We're going outside.'" -Robin Williams, LIVE

Mr. Happy in space. You beat me to it!!!

jowey · 05-29-2008, 05:03 PM

Oh crap my turd got loose again.....

Wonder what velocity defecation gives a turd in no gravity ?

Malkavian · 05-29-2008, 05:22 PM

Supersonic, in case of explosive diarrhea.

05-27-2008, 06:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
ciaobox2007 motivational tool Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,089 Thanks: 56 Thanked 40 Times in 34 Posts	Space Station Crapper on the Fritz Space station toilet on the fritz - CNN.com WASHINGTON (AP) -- The international space station's lone toilet is broken, leaving the crew with almost nowhere to go. So NASA may order an in-orbit plumbing service call when space shuttle Discovery visits next week. Until then, the three-man crew will have to make do with a *jury-rigged system* when they need to urinate. While one of the crew was using the Russian-made toilet last week, the toilet motor fan stopped working, according to NASA. Since then, the liquid waste gathering part of the toilet has been working on-and-off. Fortunately, the solid waste collecting part is functioning normally. Russian officials don't know the cause of the problem, and the crew has been unable to fix it. The crew has used the toilet on the Soyuz return capsule, but it has a limited capacity. They are now are using a backup bag-like collection system that can be connected to the broken toilet, according to NASA public affairs officials. "Like any home anywhere, the importance of having a working bathroom is obvious," NASA spokesman Allard Beutel said. The 7-year-old toilet has broken once before but not for as long a time, said Johnson Space Center spokeswoman Nicole Cloutier in Houston. Cloutier said NASA officials are considering having some parts flown to Cape Canaveral, Florida, and placed in the shuttle during its countdown, an unusual and delicate situation. Because the shuttle's payload weight is limited and balance carefully calculated, it will be tricky to try to figure out where the parts can go, said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bill Johnson. __________________ what's the ratio of schrute bucks to stanley nickels?
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05-27-2008, 06:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Malkavian Illegal Trash Container Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Resting in Peace Posts: 4,148 My Mood: Thanks: 165 Thanked 47 Times in 40 Posts	You americans are no better. I just clogged my toilet again, and i'm not even in space. __________________ Woof!
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05-27-2008, 10:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
The_Heretic Master of Quill-Fu Space Invaders Champion! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Taylorsville, UT [stuck in the 20th century]. Posts: 6,737 My Mood: Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 32 Thanked 110 Times in 80 Posts	Robin Williams was decades ahead of his time: "Everytime the space shuttle goes up the toilet goes up. Can't they deal with casomic caca!? 'Ah, Shuttle to Huston we got a problem here.' 'What's the problem?' 'Ah, well, let's just say the shit's hit the fan up here... and the fan's on high if you catch my drift.' Astronauts going, 'Whoa!... Zow! Toro-toro!' And they always run it through the computer! 'Ah, have you run it through the computer?' 'Ah, yessir.' 'Well what did it say?' 'Giggle the handle?' 'Fuck that! We're going outside.'" -Robin Williams, LIVE __________________ John McCain: "He's in Iraq... with a few centuries to kill." *You won't fight for the Bill of Right? Fine! I won't fight for you in the ballot box!*
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05-29-2008, 05:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
jowey Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,008 Blog Entries: 22 Thanks: 21 Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts	Oh crap my turd got loose again..... Wonder what velocity defecation gives a turd in no gravity ? __________________ A long standing member of the "Moronic Order of Singularity" O homines ad servitutem paratos...Emperor Tiberius Sun Tzu on the Art of War - the oldest military treatise in the world (6th century BC) Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.
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05-29-2008, 05:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
Malkavian Illegal Trash Container Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Resting in Peace Posts: 4,148 My Mood: Thanks: 165 Thanked 47 Times in 40 Posts	Supersonic, in case of explosive diarrhea. __________________ Woof!
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