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This is an actual Zero-Gravity Toilet Assembly from
Soyuz Spacecraft that flew
to the MIR Space
is a Real Piece
Russian Space History.
and working in space have the same hygiene needs
as people on Earth. They wash their hair, brush
their teeth, shave and go to the bathroom.
However, due to the zero gravity environment,
they use different methods to take care of
themselves verses here on Earth. Life in space
does present certain difficulties around personal
hygiene. There is only one tiny bathroom,
containing a urinal, an odor bacteria filter and
urinal has a flexible
hose with attachable
funnels. Each cosmonaut has a personal funnel,
differently shaped for men and women.
The zero gravity toilet uses
airflow to carry
waste away from the
is also a holding
tank which stores the waste
until it can be processed
types of toilets
were also used aboard
is the Zero-Gravity Toilet mounted on a
is our Zero Gravity Toilet on display at
the Museum of Discovery & Science
in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
is a modern Zero-Gravity Toilet
onboard the International Space
"clamp" themselves to the toilet
because of the weightless environment.
On each side of the toilet seat are things
that look like handles. Prior to solid
waste collection, an astronaut floats over
the seat, pulls up on these handles
(against a spring force) and twists them
inward over their thighs. The spring force
clamps the thighs and keeps the astronaut
from floating away.
Urine is distilled to create purified
water. The recovered water is pure enough
to drink, but few astronauts are willing
to do so. So the recovered water is mostly
used in the Electron unit.
The "Electron" passes
electricity through water, separating it
into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is
vented as a waste product, and the oxygen
is added to the station’s atmosphere.
Solid waste goes into bags that are stored
in airtight containers, which are
eventually loaded onto Progress freighters
that burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Toilets became famous when the
movie "2001, A Space Odyssey"
came out in 1968.
In a now infamous scene, one of the main characters
goes to the restroom in outer space. He
encounters a very long list of
on how to use the Zero-Gravity Toilet
onboard the ship.
ARE ADVISED TO
READ INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE
toilet is of the standard zero-gravity
type. Depending on requirements,
System A and/or System B can be used,
details of which are clearly marked in
the toilet compartment. When operating
System A, depress lever and a plastic
dalkron eliminator will be dispensed
through the slot immediately
underneath. When you have fastened the
adhesive lip, attach connection marked
by the large "X" outlet
hose. Twist the silver colored ring
one inch below the connection point
until you feel it lock.
toilet is now ready for use. The
Sonovac cleanser is activated by the
small switch on the lip. When
securing, twist the ring back to its
initial-condition, so that the two
orange line meet. Disconnect. Place
the dalkron eliminator in the vacuum
receptacle to the rear. Activate by
pressing the blue button.
controls for System B are located on the
opposite wall. The red release switch
places the uroliminator into position;
it can be adjusted manually up or down
by pressing the blue manual release
button. The opening is self adjusting.
To secure after use, press the green
button which simultaneously activates
the evaporator and returns the
uroliminator to its storage position.
- You may
leave the lavatory if the green exit
light is on over the door. If the red
light is illuminated, one of the
lavatory facilities is not properly
secured. Press the
"Stewardess" call button on
the right of the door. She will secure
all facilities from her control panel
outside. When green exit light goes on
you may open the door and leave.
Please close the door behind you.
- To use
the Sonoshower, first undress and
place all your clothes in the clothes
rack. Put on the Velcro slippers
located in the cabinet immediately
below. Enter the shower. On the
control panel to your upper right upon
entering you will see a "Shower
seal" button. Press to activate.
A green light will then be illuminated
immediately below. On the intensity
knob select the desired setting. Now
depress the Sonovac activation lever.
Sonovac will automatically go off
after three minutes unless you
activate the "Manual off"
over-ride switch by flipping it up.
When you are ready to leave, press the
blue "Shower seal" release
button. The door will open and you may
leave. Please remove the Velcro
slippers and place them in their
- If the
red light above this panel is on, the
toilet is in use. When the green light
is illuminated you may enter. However,
you must carefully follow all
instructions when using the facilities
during coasting (Zero G) flight.
Inside there are three facilities: (1)
the Sonovac, (2) the Sonoshower, (3)
the toilet. All three are designed to
be used under weightless conditions.
Please observe the sequence of
operations for each individual
modes for Sonowashing your face and
hands are available, the
"moist-towel" mode and the
"Sonovac" ultrasonic cleaner
mode. You may select either mode by
moving the appropriate lever to the
choose the "moist-towel"
mode, depress the indicated yellow
button and withdraw item. When you
have finished, discard the towel in
the vacuum dispenser, holding the
indicated lever in the
"active" position until the
green light goes on...showing that the
rollers have passed the towel
completely into the dispenser. If you
desire an additional towel, press the
yellow button and repeat the cycle.
- If you
prefer the "Sonovac"
ultrasonic cleaning mode, press the
indicated blue button. When the twin
panels open, pull forward by rings A
& B. For cleaning the hands, use
in this position. Set the timer to
positions 10, 20, 30 or
40...indicative of the number of
seconds required. The knob to the
left, just below the blue light, has
three settings, low, medium or high.
For normal use, the medium setting is
these settings have been made, you can
activate the device by switching to
the "ON" position the
clearly marked red switch. If during
the washing operation, you wish to
change the settings, place the
"manual off" over-ride
switch in the "OFF"
position. you may now make the change
and repeat the cycle.
September, 2003 we were fortunate enough to
actually acquire an authentic Zero-Gravity Toilet that was used on
a Soyuz Spacecraft.
also have a MIR Space
Station Window Assembly
in our collection.
Here for Pictures & Info.
This is just part of the
Science & Technology Centers
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Click Here for
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