Astronauts who go up into space have to adapt to a lot more than a life of weightless, eating freeze dried food, sleeping in sleeping bags that float in space and many other things. It seems pretty clear, however, that the most difficult things to adapt to are the ways through which they must deal with personal hygiene.
SHOWERING AND SHAMPOOING
There are no showers on either the space shuttle or the ISS (International Space Station.) The main reason that there is no shower is that the water can’t be contained in a microgravity environment. Additionally, even though the Space Shuttle has the capacity to make water while in space, the more water they need to make, the more weight the spacecraft has to carry, and that results in more fuel use.
The only way by which astronauts can bathe is by taking sponge baths. There are always plenty of wash cloths and towels on board all space crafts. Astronauts use wet wash cloths and a soap that doesn’t need to be rinsed for sponge bathing. They wash their hair by using a dry shampoo. This is the same sort of product that hospital patients use when they cannot wash their hair for any length of time.
Each astronaut has their own toilet kit that contains things like their toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush and comb, shaving supplies and deodorant. Only roll on or solid deodorants can used.
BRUSHING THE TEETH
Since astronauts cannot spit into a zero gravity environment (it would be unsanitary and potentially unsafe,) NASA came up with a toothpaste that was first only manufactured for use in space, but it is now available commercially. It is called NASA-dent. It is a foam-less toothpaste that can be ingested.
The reason for allowing it to be sold commercially is because hospital patients, elderly people in nursing homes and other people who might have difficulty brushing their teeth could benefit from it.
For astronauts who find the idea of swallowing toothpaste distasteful, whenever possible, NASA attempts to get their preferred brand of toothpaste. They will spit into a wash cloth as they brush their teeth.
THE TOILET
The way the toilets work in space is somewhat complicated. Normal toilets flush waste with water, but because NASA and the everyone involved with the International Space Station makes every attempt to conserve water in every possible way, the toilets work by flushing the contents down by air flow and vacuum. Perhaps this method is somewhat like the way that banks send their transaction tubes back and forth between the drive up windows and the tellers.
Toilets on all spacecrafts are designed to look as much like regular toilets as possible. When an astronaut sits on the toilet, they must use ankle straps to make sure that their feet are held to the floor. A pivoting bar is placed on one of the walls, and it can be used to secure the thighs while the astronaut is on the toilet.
In addition to the regular toilet bowl, there is a hose that both men and women can use as a urinal. It can be used in the sanding position or it can be attached to the pivoting bar that extends from the wall.
THE ACTUAL BATHROOM
There is a basic bathroom area on all spacecrafts. There is a unisex toilet and then there is an area where astronauts keep their toilet kits and where they can wash their hair (in front of a mirror,) with dry shampoo, shave or take a sponge bath. A curtain can be pulled to allow an astronaut to have greater privacy when going to the toilet.
WASTE DISPOSAL
There are three separate containers for liquids, solid waste and wipes. When the astronaut flushes the toilet, air that passes through a vacuum sucks the waste into collection containers. The solid waste is compressed and stored on board and removed upon the return to earth. Liquids are released into space.
AIR PURIFICATION
An air filtration system throughout the spacecraft removes bacteria and bad smells. After the air goes through the filtering system, it is returned to the cabin.
LEARNING TO ADAPT
Astronauts learn to adapt to these conditions. Most missions on board the space shuttles don’t last for more than two weeks. It is only when astronauts spend time on the International Space Station that they are faced with the need to adapt to these inconveniences for months at a time.
Astronauts who choose to go into space believe in the science, research and other work that is the purpose of these missions. These inconveniences are a small price to pay for what they contribute to science, to earth and to mankind.
