As NASA is already preparing for our long-awaited return to the Moon, countless activities are underway to equip, protect and support future astronauts. They will all eat and drink, and subsequently urinate and defecate in both microgravity and lunar gravity. How to solve this problem?
NASA has devised a competition, presented in technical and junior categories, to develop new compact toilet designs that can work in both scenarios . These designs can be adapted for use on Artemis moon landers that will take us back to the Moon.
Although space toilets already exist and are used on the International Space Station, for example, they are designed solely for a microgravity environment. So they must contrive to design a next-generation device that is smaller, more efficient, and capable of working in both microgravity and lunar gravity. Do you accept the challenge?
Let us remember that the mission will include the first female astronaut to travel to the Moon, so the bathrooms must be feasible for both men and women ; they must also conserve water and "help maintain a pristine environment inside the lander that is free of odors and other contaminants."
The prize will be $ 35,000 in cash along with various extras, such as NASA and HeroX public recognition, a winner's certificate and official merchandise featuring the NASA logo.
The contest is already underway and will end on August 17, 2020.
Contest website
