Space Station Toilet Fails.

Moderators: Elvis, DrVolin, Jeff

Space Station Toilet Fails.

Postby barracuda » Fri May 30, 2008 12:59 am

Full Story

Nasa has confirmed that the toilet on the International Space Station has failed, leaving astronauts in an urgent need for spare parts.

The problem lies with the fan that draws liquids into the waste chamber prior to being ejected to burn up in the atmosphere.

At the moment solids can be handled by the Russian-made toilet, but liquid disposal is proving impossible.

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

Waste disposal in space has long been an issue, since gravity-fed toilets do not work in orbit. Instead the waste is sucked from the toilet by air pressure.

Space Shuttle Discovery is due to bring the next module for the Space Station into orbit on Saturday, and officials are considering adding replacement parts to the toilet during the mission.

However, at this late stage this may prove problematic as the load on the Shuttle has already been packed and weight distribution is critical on the flight.

There also may not be room for new equipment, since the Shuttle is carrying a 14,500kg Japanese laboratory which is so large that the Shuttle's robotic arm has had to be removed.


Please contribute any and all available outer space puns, pictures and potty humor. Your contribution is appreciated.
The most dangerous traps are the ones you set for yourself. - Phillip Marlowe
User avatar
barracuda
 
Posts: 12890
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 5:58 pm
Location: Niles, California
Blog: View Blog (0)

Postby brainpanhandler » Fri May 30, 2008 4:55 am

The problem lies with the fan that draws liquids into the waste chamber prior to being ejected to burn up in the atmosphere.

At the moment solids can be handled by the Russian-made toilet, but liquid disposal is proving impossible.



Holy crap, maybe the shit hit the fan... Houston, we have a problem...
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Martin Luther King Jr.
User avatar
brainpanhandler
 
Posts: 5088
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:38 pm
Blog: View Blog (0)

Postby Seamus OBlimey » Fri May 30, 2008 6:19 am

Taking the piss just doesn't seem fair but it sounds like someone needs to.
User avatar
Seamus OBlimey
 
Posts: 3154
Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:14 pm
Location: Gods own country
Blog: View Blog (0)

Postby Searcher08 » Fri May 30, 2008 8:09 am

User avatar
Searcher08
 
Posts: 5887
Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:21 am
Blog: View Blog (0)


Return to The Lounge & Member News

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests