Buzz
Image Credit: NASA
That streak of light in the night sky? It might just be astronaut waste burning up.
NASA published the infographic above to detail the physical changes astronaut Scott Kelly will experience during his year-long mission on the International Space Station alongside Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko. This extended mission, aimed at studying the impacts of prolonged space travel, is nearly double the duration of a typical ISS stay, and the duo is now halfway through their groundbreaking journey.
In addition to insights like Kelly’s exercise regimen and radiation exposure, NASA included some intriguing details for those curious about space sanitation. Kelly will consume 730 liters of water recycled from urine and sweat, and he’ll generate 180 pounds of fecal matter (assuming no unexpected events). Since space lacks traditional plumbing, astronaut waste isn’t flushed away. Instead, it’s ejected from the station along with other trash, eventually burning up upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, much like a meteor.
Similar to a meteor, that fiery mass of waste will streak across the sky, glowing like a shooting star. However, NASA reminds us, “your waste won’t transform into shooting stars.” Thanks for crushing our dreams, NASA!
