Orion-modul erreicht mond, aber toilette schlägt auf den plan

Die NASA-Mission Artemis II hat einen erfolgreichem Start gehabt und die Raumfähre Orion auf Kurs zu einem 10-tägigen Aufenthalt an der Mondoberfläche gesetzt. Doch already within hours of the launch, a major issue emerged: the toilet system malfunctioned.

Das problem mit dem toilettensystem

According to NASA controllers, the sensors monitoring the waste management system showed unexpected readings. Astronaut Christina Koch confirmed the malfunction, stating: 'The toilet has shut down on its own and I have an amber warning light blinking', she told Mission Control.

The toilet in question is an improved version of the ones used at the International Space Station, which employ an air-flow system to extract waste. Liquids are discarded into space while solids are stored for later medical analysis. While this type of toilet has proven reliable for years at the ISS, the conditions in deep space, with its zero gravity, may have triggered an unforeseen issue.

Luckily, it appears to have been a technical problem rather than a plumbing one, and NASA was able to resolve it remotely from Earth. Just hours later, the toilet was back in working order. 'We are pleased to inform that the toilet is now operational', commented Mission Control. 'We recommend allowing the system to reach its operational speed before using fluid.'

Space travel poses unique challenges for humans, as it requires covering basic needs like eating, drinking and, yes, using the bathroom. With the toilet issue resolved, the astronauts on board the Orion module, part of the Artemis II mission, are now on track to reach the Moon in about three days, spend a few days exploring its surface, and then embark on the four-day journey back to Earth.