The Problem
In space, no one can hear you flush. This is because in space, there are no toilets. While you may go about your life mostly unaffected by this, it is more of a challenge for our brave astronauts in their space suits.
After all: when you gotta go, you gotta go. And sometimes you gotta go in a total vacuum.
What You Can Do To Cause A Breakthrough
Read the complete challenge guidelines to see the rules and requirements for entry into the challenge.
“Accept Challenge” by clicking the button above to compete in the challenge.
Follow the challenge above to be notified of any status updates to the challenge.
Share this challenge on social media using the icons above. Show your friends, your family, or anyone you know who has a passion for discovery.
Start a conversation in our Forum to join the conversation, ask questions or connect with other innovators.
Background
Current space suits are worn for launch and entry activities and in-space activities to protect the crew from any unforeseen circumstances that the space environment can cause. A crew member could find themselves in this suit for up to 10 hours at a time nominally for launch or landing, or up to 6 days if something catastrophic happens while in space.
The old standby solution consisted of diapers, in case astronauts needed to relieve themselves. However, the diaper is only a very temporary solution, and doesn’t provide a healthy/protective option longer than one day.
What a Breakthrough Looks Like
What's needed is a system inside a space suit that collects human waste for up to 144 hours and routes it away from the body, without the use of hands. The system has to operate in the conditions of space - where solids, fluids, and gases float around in microgravity (what most of us think of as "zero gravity") and don't necessarily mix or act the way they would on earth. This system will help keep astronauts alive and healthy over 6 days, or 144 hrs.
In space, no one can hear you flush. This is because in space, there are no toilets. While you may go about your life mostly unaffected by this, it is more of a challenge for our brave astronauts in their space suits.
After all: when you gotta go, you gotta go. And sometimes you gotta go in a total vacuum.
What You Can Do To Cause A Breakthrough
Read the complete challenge guidelines to see the rules and requirements for entry into the challenge.
“Accept Challenge” by clicking the button above to compete in the challenge.
Follow the challenge above to be notified of any status updates to the challenge.
Share this challenge on social media using the icons above. Show your friends, your family, or anyone you know who has a passion for discovery.
Start a conversation in our Forum to join the conversation, ask questions or connect with other innovators.
Background
Current space suits are worn for launch and entry activities and in-space activities to protect the crew from any unforeseen circumstances that the space environment can cause. A crew member could find themselves in this suit for up to 10 hours at a time nominally for launch or landing, or up to 6 days if something catastrophic happens while in space.
The old standby solution consisted of diapers, in case astronauts needed to relieve themselves. However, the diaper is only a very temporary solution, and doesn’t provide a healthy/protective option longer than one day.
What a Breakthrough Looks Like
What's needed is a system inside a space suit that collects human waste for up to 144 hours and routes it away from the body, without the use of hands. The system has to operate in the conditions of space - where solids, fluids, and gases float around in microgravity (what most of us think of as "zero gravity") and don't necessarily mix or act the way they would on earth. This system will help keep astronauts alive and healthy over 6 days, or 144 hrs.
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