Scientists at Axiom Space are developing a new spacesuit that can convert astronauts’ urine into drinkable water, inspired by the stillsuits featured in the sci-fi movie Dune. This innovation aims to improve astronaut comfort and hydration during spacewalks by recycling bodily fluids, potentially transforming long-duration missions.
Currently, astronauts rely on a multi-layered adult diaper known as the Maximum Absorbency Garment (MAG) to manage waste. While effective at holding up to two liters, the MAG often causes discomfort, skin rashes, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) and is susceptible to leaks, which can create hygiene problems during missions.
The new spacesuit design addresses these issues by incorporating an undergarment made from flexible fabric fitted with a silicone cup tailored to different anatomies for better comfort. A vacuum pump transfers urine from the cup to a filtration system attached to the back of the suit. This system filters out salts and impurities, converting up to 500 ml of urine into clean drinking water within five minutes with an 87% efficiency rate.
The filtration unit weighs approximately 8 kg and measures 38 cm by 23 cm by 23 cm, making it compact enough to be carried on an astronaut’s back without adding significant bulk. The suit will provide astronauts with nearly instant access to water during spacewalks, which typically last around six hours and currently allow only one liter of water storage.
This technology could be a major advancement for future missions, including NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually send crewed missions to Mars. While promising, the spacesuit still requires further research and human testing before it can be deployed on actual space missions.