Space Waste: How Astronauts Manage Their Business in Orbit

Space Waste: The Untold Story of Astronaut Sanitation Mexico City, May 17, 2025 - A recent video by content creator @maryelrochin has shed light on the surprisingly complex process of waste management in space. The short video, which has garnered significant attention online, details the methods astronauts use for both urination and defecation in the confines of a spacecraft. For urination, astronauts utilize a system involving a tube and suction technology to collect and store urine. This collected waste undergoes a rigorous filtration and purification process, making it safe for reuse as drinking water, a crucial aspect of resource conservation in space. 'It's all about recycling,' explains a NASA spokesperson in an unrelated interview. 'Every drop counts when you're millions of miles from Earth.' The process for solid waste is more involved. Astronauts use specialized bags and a suction system to transfer waste to a hermetically sealed container. These containers are later returned to Earth for proper disposal. The video highlights the importance of hygiene and safety protocols in this process. While the video focuses on the practical side of space sanitation, it also subtly touches upon the broader themes of resource management and the challenges of long-duration space travel. The ingenuity and necessity of these systems underscore the remarkable technological advancements required for human exploration beyond our planet.