Topic: Waste disposal on the International Space Station
moorouge Member
Posts: 2454 From: U.K. Registered: Jul 2009
posted 05-31-2011 02:08 PM
A schoolboy's favourite question!
I'm well aware of solid waste disposal arrangements for the shuttle and for Apollo and Gemini. I'm also know that International Space Station (ISS) liquid waste is recycled.
But what do they do with the accumulation of solid waste on the ISS? Bag it and return it to Earth?
posted 05-31-2011 02:33 PM
I have read that solid waste is collected in individual micro-perforated bags which are then stored in aluminium containers. When full these containers are then transferred to Progress for disposal.
OV-105 Member
Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 05-31-2011 10:53 PM
So I guess that would be a real asteroid then. Sorry couldn't help myself been a long day.
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 06-01-2011 02:29 AM
In the case of the urine, the solid elements of it are contained in a concentrated form in a special tank while the water component is recycled. I am not sure what happens when the tank gets full, but it likely gets transferred to the Progress and burned up with the rest of the garbage.