NASA has successfully tested a new waste disposal technology aboard the International Space Station (ISS) developed by Texas-based space technology company Nanoracks. The test demonstrated a more efficient and sustainable model of removing waste from the ISS and could turn out to be a critical new utility function for all future space stations.
Usually, ISS astronauts collect trash and store it on the space station for months waiting for the Cygnus cargo vehicle to arrive at the station. Cygnus is a ‘disposable’ spacecraft designed to transport supplies to the space station. After it completes its primary mission, astronauts fill it with bags of trash and releases the spacecraft. After this, it de-orbits and is completely burned up during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
The new concept developed by Nanopracks uses a specially designed waste container contained which is mounted in the Bishop Airlock. Crew members can fill it up with around 270 kilograms of waste. After this, the container is released, and just like the Cygnus method, it completely burns up during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. The idea is that this method is more efficient and sustainable since astronauts do not have to wait for the cargo spacecraft to arrive in order to dispose of waste.
During the successful first test, the container contained around 78 kilograms of trash including foam, packing materials, cargo transfer bags, dirty crew clothing, hygiene products and used office supplies
This successful test not only demonstrates the future of waste removal for space stations, but also highlights our ability to leverage the ISS as a commercial technology testbed, which provides critical insights into how we can prepare for the next phases of commercial LEO destinations. Thank you to NASA and the ISS Program for their continued support, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration,” said Nanoracks CEO Amela Wilson, in a company press statement.
“Waste collection in space has been a long-standing, yet not as publicly discussed, challenge aboard the ISS. Four astronauts can generate up to 2,500 kg of trash per year, or about two trash cans per week. As we move into a time with more people living and working in space, this is a critical function just like it is for everyone at home,” added Cooper Read, Bishop Airlock program manager at Nanoracks, in the press statement.
Nearly 78 kilograms of trash was jettisoned from the International Space Station (ISS) in a major waste management technology test. The bag was jettisoned from the station's commercial Bishop Airlock.
The first-of-its-kind technology to dispose of waste has been developed by Nasa’s Johnson Space Center and a private company Nanorocks.
“The technology demonstrates a more efficient and sustainable model for eliminating waste aboard the ISS and furthermore highlights a critical new function and utility for all future commercial space stations,” Nanorocks said in a statement.
So far, astronauts had been storing the trash in the Space Station and sending it back to Earth on the Cygnus cargo vehicle. After Cygnus completes its primary mission at the ISS, the astronauts will fill the spacecraft with bags of trash before it is released from the space station for de-orbit, where the entire spacecraft is burned up upon re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.
The new technology uses a specially designed waste container, which is mounted in the Bishop Airlock. The ISS crew can fill the container with up to 600 lbs of trash. The waste bag is then released and the Airlock is re-mounted empty.
The trash jettisoned this month had foam and packing materials, cargo transfer bags, dirty crew clothing, assorted hygiene products and used office supplies. The bag burns up upon re-entry into the atmosphere and does not contribute to the creation of any space debris.
“Four astronauts can generate up to 2,500 kg of trash per year, or about two trash cans per week. As we move into a time with more people living and working in space, this is a critical function just like it is for everyone at home. Waste collection in space has been a long-standing, yet not as publicly discussed, challenge aboard the ISS,” Cooper Read, Bishop Airlock program manager at Nanoracks added.
On July 2, the International Space Station successfully ejected over 170 pounds of garbage (78 kgs) from stations’ commercial Bishop Airlock. This was accomplished through the use of the station’s commercial trash bag and an airlock system, which was designed by Nanoracks.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center developed a special bag that can hold all of the space station’s garbage. It features various items such as dirty clothes and packing materials and hygiene items used by astronauts.
The bag was discarded by the station’s commercial cargo ship and will burn up upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. The bag was jettisoned from the station’s commercial Bishop Airlock
The technology demonstrates a more efficient and sustainable model for eliminating waste aboard the ISS and furthermore highlights a critical new function and utility for all future commercial space stations,” Nanorocks said in a statement.
So far, astronauts had been storing the trash in the Space Station and sending it back to Earth on the Cygnus cargo vehicle.
“This was the first open-close cycle of the Bishop Airlock, our first deployment, and what we hope is the beginning of new, more sustainable ISS disposal operations,” Dr. Amela Wilson, Nanoracks CEO said.
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