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Science & Technology
No toilet for returning SpaceX crew, stuck using diapers
2021-11-08
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The astronauts who will depart the International Space Station on Sunday will be stuck using diapers on the way home because of their capsule’s broken toilet.

NASA astronaut Megan McArthur described the situation Friday as "suboptimal" but manageable. She and her three crewmates will spend 20 hours in their SpaceX capsule, from the time the hatches are closed until Monday morning’s planned splashdown.

"Spaceflight is full of lots of little challenges," she said during a news conference from orbit. "This is just one more that we’ll encounter and take care of in our mission. So we’re not too worried about it."

After a series of meetings Friday, mission managers decided to bring McArthur and the rest of her crew home before launching their replacements. That SpaceX launch already had been delayed more than a week by bad weather and an undisclosed medical issue involving one of the crew.

SpaceX is now targeting liftoff for Wednesday night at the earliest.
Posted by:Besoeker

#11  I guess it's very difficult to take an O Gee Whiz

That's very good Deacon.
Posted by: Skidmark   2021-11-08 23:17  

#10  I remember one of the Moon landings where the astronauts were complaining about 'loose stools' from eating so much fruit.
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2021-11-08 16:30  

#9  I still remember watching coverage of Apollo 11 and CBS but on a report about what astronauts wear in space. He stripped down layer by layer untill he got down to what he described as a diaper hence this song.
Posted by: Vinegar Spolusing6485   2021-11-08 11:59  

#8  Boldly not going where no one has not gone before.
Posted by: SteveS   2021-11-08 11:19  

#7  I guess it's very difficult to take an O Gee Whiz
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2021-11-08 10:33  

#6  So much for 'high availability' systems.
Posted by: Skidmark   2021-11-08 08:36  

#5  Thought that bit of re-entry 'requirement' somewhat odd as I don't remember Mercury, Gemini or Apollo crew modules having facilities.

Thank you, Rob.
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2021-11-08 08:02  

#4  Not reported by the AP: on return flights they're already wearing full gear, including "diapers". They don't need the capsule's toilet.
Posted by: Rob Crawford   2021-11-08 07:46  

#3  I can understand the issue of loose bowels during a re-entry situation, I just don't see using any sort of toilet while the gravitational situation is in flux as being, er, practical.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2021-11-08 07:45  

#2  I'd pass on the Pre-Flight Taco Bell meal
Posted by: Frank G   2021-11-08 07:33  

#1  Good enough for the President, good enough for SpaceX crew.
Posted by: Besoeker   2021-11-08 07:32  

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