NASA Engineers Thrilled as 98% of Astronaut Pee and Sweat Recycled on ISS

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have achieved a 98% water recovery rate by recycling 98% of all astronaut pee and sweat, an important milestone for low-orbit space missions that aim to provide the basic needs of astronauts without resupply missions. The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) achieved the water recovery milestone during a demonstration of the improved Urine Processor Assembly (UPA), which recovers water from urine using vacuum distillation. The ECLSS is made up of a combination of hardware, including a Water Recovery System that collects wastewater and advanced dehumidifiers that capture moisture from the air of the ISS as a result of the crew’s breath and sweat.