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“The Space Poop Challenge” (Video)

space poop
NASA has initiated a "Space Poop Challenge," and is calling on innovators to come up with new designs for a spacesuit waste management system. (Credit: NASA)

Sometimes the “call of nature” is really urgent – and if you’re in a spacesuit, you can’t easily rush to the bathroom.

That’s why NASA has created the “Space Poop Challenge.” The agency is asking innovators to create fecal, urine and menstrual management systems for spacesuits, that would work for up to six days. Up to $30,000 in prize money is up for grabs.

NASA astronauts wear diapers to take care of their bodily needs while they’re launching, landing or spacewalking. However, these diapers are only good for a few hours; sitting in poop, urine or menstrual fluid for more than that is bad for your health, and your backside, besides. [How to Pee in Space (and What to Do If the Toilet Breaks)]

“Future missions may require long-duration waste management for use by a pressurized suited crew member,” NASA wrote in a statement on HeroX, a website where people or organizations can host incentive-based competitions. READ MORE/ADDITIONAL VIDEO

NASA is asking for everyone’s help in coming up with new ways they can handle needs the human beings who are astronauts have in terms of waste. They’re calling in ‘The Poop Challenge’ and there’s a reward in it too. Patrick Jones (@Patrick_E_Jones) explains.