New Technology Will Allow Astronauts To Drink Their Own Urine Instead Of Wearing A Diaper

Technology enthusiasts claim to have devised a method that will make astronauts' lives in space easier—drinking their own urine.

It's not as disgusting as you may think, and yes, you read it correctly.

Astronauts will soon be able to drink their own urine during spacewalks because to new technology that is currently being developed.

Currently, among many other things, they have to put on diapers when performing restoration work outside the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA astronaut Ronald Garan attached to a robotic arm on the International Space Station during a planned six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk in 2011. NASA via Getty Images

This precaution ensures that, in the unlikely event that they have to urinate, they may do so without the urine flying all over their suit.

However, changing diapers isn't really futuristic, is it? These people are truly extraordinary, and they dress like babies right now.

Well, to give these disposable nappies their official name, they were developed in the early 1980s and are known as maximum absorbency garments, or MAGs.

Their function is the same as that of a diaper; the only difference is that, unless it's nighttime, leaving a baby in them for up to eight hours without changing would be considered child neglect.

That's how long some astronauts spend outside the International Space Station (ISS) on spacewalks. 

I'm sure they would relieve their bladders beforehand to avoid having to 'go' in them right away.

If MAGs aren't changed, they can irritate your skin, perhaps lead to an infection, and feel rather uncomfortable, just like baby diapers can.

NASA astronauts Steve Bowen and Alvin Drew pictured working on the ISS in what was a six-hour-34-minute spacewalk in 2011. NASA via Getty Images

Furthermore, the amount of water they can carry in their in-suit drink bag when floating outside the space station is limited to 0.2 gallons.

Let the scientists figure out a solution, I guess.

Astronauts would wear underwear with an antibacterial fabric lining and a flexible compression material; it would also be equipped with a humidity sensor that detects the presence of pee.

Urine is drawn into a filter on the astronaut's back when it detects the presence of pee.

Furthermore, you can start drinking the fresh water in just five minutes.

NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman dons a New York Yankee logo on his forearm during a seven-hour-25-minute spacewalk in 2010. NASA via Getty Images

It is still in testing, but if it advances past the last round, NASA and other space organizations, such as Elon Musk's SpaceX, would find it interesting.

Nevertheless, it's unlikely to be completed until 2026.