Engineers at NASA are currently experimenting with the idea of recycling urine into a drinkable solution. Despite how repulsive this may sound, this practice would be the ultimate solution to the age old problem of storage and weight of water. Not only would recycling urine help save fuel for space shuttles, but also time as it can be processed within the space station.

The human body requires approximately one to seven liters of Water or fluids per day to prevent dehydration. In a situation where several astronauts have to stay crammed in a tight space shuttle, carrying water and fluids can become a problem.

According to Telegraph, NASA may have discovered a solution to this issue by recycling urine into water.  The technology is a complex system that recycles the crew’s urine into a communal source of water. According to NASA lead engineer, Bob Bagdigian, there are no objections so far as to utilizing this unique system.

He stated: “We did blind taste tests of the water … Nobody had any strong objections. Other than a faint taste of iodine, it is just as refreshing as any other kind of water… I’ve got some in my fridge, … It tastes fine to me.”

The iodine is introduced into the recycling process to kill off any potential microbial growth that usually forms in human waste.  NASA has indicated that approximately six gallons of water will be produced using this new recycling method. Also, about 92% of the water is expected to be produced from urine and moisture in the air. 

Currently, NASA uses space shuttles to bring water to the space station. However NASA is planning on retiring its space shuttles after 10 more flights. Once the shuttles are retired recycling water will become a must.

It looks like recycling urine into water is the way of the future. As with many new technologies developed by NASA, I am sure many are looking forward to this to be applied to the general public.

(By Mike Ferro, Tech Blorge, 17/11/2008)