In space, what do water and air

have in common?

They don’t exist.

If you want them, you have to take them with you when you launch from earth.

The water is brought from earth or is produced as a by-product of fuel cells on the

orbiter.

The Shuttle Transportation System

(STS)

The International Space Station

Solar panels do not produce water.

Water – transported @ $10,000 pound

ACTIVITY USE

Taking a bath 50 gallons

Taking a shower,

20 mins.

36 gallons

Flushing a toilet 3 gallons every flush

Washing hands/face 2 gallons

Brushing teeth,

2 mins, water on 3 gallons

Glass of water 1/8 gallon

How much do you estimate that you use in one day?

How much do you use daily?

How much would in 4 months?(laundry, gardening, too)

What would be the cost to LAUNCH the water you need for

four months?

The Cost of Water

• A crew of 4 astronauts uses about 40,000 pounds of water in one year.

40,000 pounds of water

$10,000 per pound to launch water

How does NASA limit the amount of water needed on the ISS?

Brushing Teeth – No Rinsing Needed

Shampoo –No rinsing required

Shower/Bath –A nozzle-moistened washcloth One gallon of water

CONSERVATION ISN’T ENOUGH

Existing water must be recycled or reprocessed

HOW?

What is existing water?

perspiration

urine

respiration

Human and Animal

COPING WITH REPROCESSED WATER

• Think about how water is recycled in nature

• Waste products filter through the ground water system, to the rivers, to our communities

• NASA imitates Mother Nature

Water Purification Investigation

Gravel

Sand

Charcoal

Nylon stocking

Water Life Support System – Node 3

2005

VCD BENEFITS

Process about 4,400 lbs of water annuallyfor ISS

Human exploration beyond the moon requiressuch recycling systems

Implications for Earth – 6.2 billion+(abundant, reliable, affordable sources of water)

Control and Environmental Life Support Systems

(ECLSS)

• Recycle wastewater to produce drinking water

• Store and distribute potable water

• Use recycled water to produce oxygen for the crew

• Remove carbon dioxide from the cabin air

• Ventilation of ISS modules

• Filter the cabin air for particulates and microorganisms

• Remove volatile organic trace gases from the cabin air

• Detect and suppress fire

• Maintain cabin temperature and humidity levels

ECLSS

Source: www.science.nasa.gov

Kati Searcy

• NASA Explorer Schools, Educator Facilitator, KSC

• National Board Certified Teacher Mountain Park Elementary School, GA

• E-mail: searcy@fultonschools.org• Phone: 770-552-4530, ext. 278• ISSEC Web Site: www.expage.com/gagc