Dune-inspired spacesuit turns urine into drinking water

A new spacesuit design inspired by the movie Sand hill can Convert urine into drinking water in five minutesEnsuring that astronauts stay hydrated during long space walks. Details of the news were published in the magazine Frontiers in Space Technologies Thursday (11).

Developed by scientists at Cornell University in the US, the device collects urine, purifies it and returns it to the user through a tube. It includes a Silicone collection cup that fits around the genitals for men and womenIt is attached to underwear made of stretchy fabric.

The collector is connected to a vacuum pump that automatically kicks in when the astronaut urinates. The urine then goes into a filtration system where it passes through a filter. Recycling with 87% efficiencyremoving water and separating salt — there is also the possibility of enriching the water with electrolytes and turning it into an energy drink.

Weighing approximately 8 kg, The recycling device is in the form of a backpack and can be attached to the back of the suitAccording to the researchers, the system takes five minutes to convert 500ml of urine into drinking water and can be used repeatedly.

How is it done right now?

During space walks Astronauts only have one litre of water in their clothing bags. and use a changed diaper to absorb urine. However, the solution is considered uncomfortable, unhygienic and prone to leakage, leading some professionals to limit beverage intake.

Due to such limitations, long-term moonwalks will be hampered as they can last 10 hours or a full day in emergencies. The crew is now on the International Space Station Recycle 98% of urine and sweatbut the method cannot be used externally.

The creators of the prototype plan to make it available on: Artemis missions are planned for 2025 and 2026This will mark the return of manned missions to the Moon, as well as missions to Mars in the next decade. Before that, the system will undergo tests in simulated microgravity conditions.