Nasa Is Willing To Give You $30,000 If You Take This Awkward Challenge

NASA needs your help!

Yes you! NASA has a problem that everyone on planet Earth can relate to. It's something that you have done thousands of times in your life, so you're already an expert.

NASA has a poop problem.

Humans have been sending astronauts into outer space for more than 50 years and yet we still don't have a great way of dealing with interstellar poop.

For trips that require extended time in a space suit, astronauts wear adult diapers.

Diapers are effective for about a day, but as any baby will let you know, spending any amount of time in a poopy diaper simply isn't a feasible option.

For extended stays in a spacecraft, scientists have created this elaborate toilet.

This image features the International Space Station's toilet. Foot straps, a seat belt, handlebars, and a heavy duty vacuum go into this elaborate contraption.

Existing technologies have been sufficient for near-Earth orbits, but mankind's ambitions are growing.

As we develop plans for expeditions to Mars, it's becoming clear that there is a high probability of needing to be in a space suit for extended periods of time.

Going to the bathroom in a space suit exposes you to infection and sepsis. Although NASA has the technology to send people to outer space, the agency is still using an antiquated technology called "nappies" babies, you know what I'm talking about to deal with this astronaut waste problem.

NASA has announced the "Space Poop Challenge" to help solve this problem.

The person who proposes a viable solution to the space poop problem will be awarded a whopping $30,000.

There's not much room inside the suit, so whatever you come up with ought to be small. Yahoo reports:

"The problem is that in weightlessness, fluids can blob up and stick to surfaces, while solids float in the air. "You don't want any of these solids and fluids stuck to your body for six days," NASA said, recalling how easy babies can get [nappy] rash."

Please don't confuse the "Space Poop Challenge" with the "Ice Bucket Challenge."

NASA would love it if as many people participated in their challenge as those who dumped cold water on their heads to support ALS research back in 2014, though.

The stool solution has to be functional in a space suit.

The explanation of the challenge noted that astronauts could be stuck in space suits for up to six straight days. Holding it clearly isn't going to be an option.

Astronaut Rick Mastracchio asks you to "imagine a scenario where a crew is on their way to the moon, and there is an emergency where the vehicle begins losing cabin pressure. The crew will need to quickly put on space suits to protect themselves from the vacuum of space."

"I can tell you that space flight is not always glamorous," Mastracchio emphasizes. "People need to go to the bathroom even in a spacecraft. How is this waste treated such that it does not harm the astronaut or even kill them?"

Since the spaceship no longer provides that protection, the astronauts need a suit to provide "clean air, water, shelter and enough nutrients for up to six days" until they can safely return to the hellish planet we call Earth. But what do you do if you need to pee or poo? What happens if a lady astronaut gets her period?

Do you think you have what it takes to help answer this dung dilemma?

You might've given up on your dreams of being an astronaut long ago, but you can still help conquer space. It's up to you to solve the space poo problem. So tap into the depths of your consciousness, dear readers, and discover the poo genius living inside you. The deadline for submissions is December 20.

Here's a video explaining the fundamentals of this "Space Poop Challenge."

Put on your thinking cap, keep a pen handy next to your toilet, and swap ideas with friends. NASA is counting on you to help astronauts poo!