Why your next space trip won't involve urinating in your suit

Space · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Early astronauts were forced to use their spacesuits as toilets because mission lengths were too short for waste management systems. Today, staying on the International Space Station for six months requires sophisticated engineering to prevent floating waste from damaging sensitive equipment or harming human health.

In the early days of space exploration, hardware was designed for brevity rather than comfort. On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepherd became the first American in space and was instructed to urinate directly into his spacesuit because it lacked a collection system. This mishap actually short-circuited his electronic biosensors. It wasn't until John Glenn’s Mercury orbital flight on February 20, 1962, that NASA equipped a suit with the first functioning urine collection system—a wearable belt featuring a latex roll-on cuff, plastic tubes, and a collection bag. This specific collection system has been on public display since 1976. It served as the blueprint for all male astronauts during the space shuttle era.

As missions transitioned from hours to months, the 'wearable' approach became impractical. Astronauts could not remain in soiled clothing for extended periods, leading to a design shift toward dedicated space toilets. The primary engineering hurdle is gravity; on Earth, waste disposal relies on it to move downward. In microgravity, waste can float freely, posing a dual threat: it is a health hazard to the crew and a physical risk to delicate station equipment. The lack of gravity makes waste disposal both tricky and potentially dangerous. Engineers must ensure that nothing drifts away from the station's plumbing.

Modern life on the International Space Station (ISS) balances these biological needs with rigorous scientific demands. Astronauts like Samantha Cristoforetti manage personal hygiene—including 'showering' and nail care—around demanding 40-hour work weeks dedicated to global research. These systems ensure that while humans remain the focus of space exploration, their most basic physiological requirements do not compromise the safety or functionality of the orbital laboratory. Cristoforetti conducts many experiments for Italy’s ASI agency. She also participates in numerous studies funded by scientists across the globe.

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