HOUSTON — Astronauts from Artemis II said Thursday they are evaluating technical issues encountered during their recent trip around the moon, including problems with the spacecraft’s toilet system, during a news conference at NASA Johnson Space Center.
Commander Reid Wiseman and crewmate Christina Koch spoke about the 10-day mission, which marked the first crewed lunar flight in more than 50 years, and addressed questions about the performance of the Orion spacecraft’s onboard systems.
NASA officials said the spacecraft used a Universal Waste Management System, a modern toilet designed for microgravity that relies on airflow, a hose-and-funnel system for urine, and a seat for solid waste. The system includes restraints to keep astronauts in place and uses airflow to manage waste and odors.
Officials said the toilet experienced issues early in the mission, including a controller problem shortly after launch and a venting issue later attributed to a possible ice blockage in the wastewater line.
Flight controllers and crew members resolved the initial problem by adding water to prime the system’s pump. Later, when venting problems occurred, astronauts used backup urine collection devices while engineers attempted to clear the blockage by exposing the vent line to sunlight.
NASA flight director Judd Frieling said the system remained functional for solid waste, while liquid waste disposal was partially restored after troubleshooting.
The toilet system drew public attention during the mission, which also produced widely viewed images of Earth and the lunar surface. NASA officials said the issues provided valuable data for future missions.
Officials said they will review the Orion spacecraft and its systems, including the toilet, as part of post-mission analysis. They added that any necessary modifications could be made before future missions, including Artemis III, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface.
NASA said longer missions, including future lunar and Mars missions, will require more advanced waste and water recycling systems, building on current technology used aboard the International Space Station.