Every fact you’ve ever wanted to know about peeing and pooing in space – and some you didn’t
The men agreed.
15.
The men switched over to using those because it was more comfortable and less prone to leave pee floating around the cabin than the condom sheath.
They also developed a zero-G toilet so that astronauts no longer had to tape a bag to their ass.
— Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) July 19, 2019
And so to today.
16.
Peeing or pooping in space is now a lengthy process, involving a fan, a targeting system, and a fair amount of prayer.
Fun pooping in space fact: Without gravity, the poop doesn't break off as it exits your body. You have to reach back and help with special gloves.
— Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) July 19, 2019
17.
Peeing is a little more straightforward. It's basically a funnel, a tube, a bag, and a fan for suction.
Sometimes though, the toilet breaks down. At that point, they return to using "relief bags" taped to their ass and "manual urine containment."
— Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) July 19, 2019
But guess what …still not perfect.
18.
During a malfunction, it is also possible for a giant floating globe of pee to exit the toilet.
Fun fact: Due to chemicals, it is bright purple and acidic.
Fun fact: Poop regularly escapes, which is why you never eat a milk dud found floating in the ISS.
— Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) July 19, 2019
19.
All of which is to say that the reason women didn't go into space had nothing to do with lacking the technology to pee.
We didn't have the technology for men to pee in space when they started either.
And some days, the best solution is still a diaper or a bag taped to the ass
— Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) July 19, 2019
There were a couple of extra pieces of information:
First, this disappointing fart news.
20.
with some FAQs:
What about Farting in space? – It does not propel you. Astronauts have tried.What about belching? – Gravity keeps food at the bottom of the stomach. Burps in space tend to be accompanied by solid matter
— Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) July 19, 2019
And on the subject of periods …
21.
What about periods in space? – According to women who have been there, "It's just like a period on Earth."
It turns out menstrual blood moves via a wicking action. Gravity can speed that up, but is unnecessary.
Also, tampons exist.
— Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) July 19, 2019
22.
Fun fact: When Sally Ride was preparing to go into space, NASA engineers asked her if 100 tampons would be the right number for a week.
She said, "No. That would not be the right number."
They cut it back to 50…
— Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) July 19, 2019
Finally, a little inside – or outside – information on former astronaut Mike Mullane.
23.
FAQ: Erections in space? Officially, it's never happened.
However, according to Mike Mullane in his book, Riding Rockets, he woke most mornings on the shuttle with his "wooden puppet friend"
"I had an erection so intense it was painful. I could have drilled through kryptonite."
— Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) July 19, 2019
Mary’s thread went down a storm.
As we celebrate #Apollo50th, if there's one Twitter thread you read, make it this one. It needs to be printed in a book and stored in the Smithsonian. Thank you @MaryRobinette, I'm chuckling in a dentist waiting room with tears of joy and utter horror pooling in my eyes 😂 https://t.co/DjlJnw8RgY
— Dr. Ian O'Neill (@astroengine) July 19, 2019
I…had no idea pee and poop in space was so interesting 💩 https://t.co/Ar3PERPjYp
— Julia Macfarlane (@juliamacfarlane) July 20, 2019
This is perhaps the best fucking thread I have read recently. Fun facts about peeing, pooping, farting and belching in zero gravity. Oh the complications. https://t.co/2T0hbqwME1
— The Writer Formerly Known As Elnathan (@elnathan_john) July 20, 2019
Surgeon Dr Nikki Stamp listed what the thread has that makes it so amazing.
This thread has everything:
– Science
– Space
– Pee and poo facts
– Feminism https://t.co/7tR0nC0yMp— Dr Nikki Stamp FRACS (@drnikkistamp) July 20, 2019
Yet Twitter is still free.
Source: Mary Robinette Kowal
