Posted on Dec 22, 2011 02:20:21 PM | Don Pettit | 5 Comments
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Taking human anatomy into account, the toilet facilities on space
station have an architecture that expertly aligns the purpose to the
environment (such trifles as a toilet seat are not needed when you are
weightless). The Soyuz spacecraft is a different matter. The toilet on
Soyuz is simple, and will get the job done with minimum mess. But
relaxing it is not. In the cramped quarters your crewmates politely keep
their backs turned, with plugged noses. Fortunately, we only live in
the Soyuz for two days before we rendezvous and dock with the space
station. After that we can live, and relieve ourselves, in semi-private
style.
The Olympian measure of endurance for a Soyuz crewmember is to hold
your bowel for the two-day passage. This is a competition with no place
for silver or bronze. Shortly after the hatch opening and the first
handshake/hug with our friends already on the station, the newly
arriving crew makes a hasty retreat to the toilet. Exercising proper
space etiquette, it is best not to give the newly arrived too strong a
hug.
To help ease our difficulty, we are offered a pre-launch enema.
Administered by our flight surgeons, this allows us to launch with a
clear mind and a clean colon.
5
On Feb 12, 2012 01:20:51 PM
Luna
added a comment on your blog post.
Don, I like your style. Please give us lot of details of your experiences. It is amazing and very interesting. Thanks.
4
On Jan 10, 2012 01:08:00 PM
Brenda Waters, MD
added a comment on your blog post.
Hello to you, and all the cosmonauts and astronauts. My household follows you on NASA TV constantly and very much enjoy watching your interesting activities. I just have a question, actually: How many lap top computers do you have up and running on the ISS and are they all run from hard drives on Earth? Thank so much. Brenda Waters
3
On Dec 28, 2011 01:04:58 PM
Betty
added a comment on your blog post.
Love your blog, Don. Keep on writing!
Best regards,
Betty Jerusalem, Israel
2
On Dec 24, 2011 01:02:23 PM
guest
added a comment on your blog post.
Truly love the details, demonstrating what we take for granted.
1
On Dec 22, 2011 02:51:25 PM
josh brown
added a comment on your blog post.
Small price to pay for being a star voyager. Its the little things no one really thinks about. Thanks Don, been watching and learning from you for a while now. Part of my inspiration to join NASA after my collage career.
Don, I like your style.
Please give us lot of details of your experiences. It is amazing and very interesting. Thanks.
Hello to you, and all the cosmonauts and astronauts. My household follows you on NASA TV constantly and very much enjoy watching your interesting activities. I just have a question, actually: How many lap top computers do you have up and running on the ISS and are they all run from hard drives on Earth?
Thank so much.
Brenda Waters
Love your blog, Don. Keep on writing!
Best regards,
Betty
Jerusalem, Israel
Truly love the details, demonstrating what we take for granted.
Small price to pay for being a star voyager. Its the little things no one really thinks about. Thanks Don, been watching and learning from you for a while now. Part of my inspiration to join NASA after my collage career.