How Do Astronauts Poop? National Geographic Show Explains (VIDEO)

Of all the endless wonders of our universe, from the distant twinkling stars to the promise of alien life forms, one of the most common questions about NASA's missions into space is all about humankind's most basic function.

In a very... uncomfortable video, National Geographic's "Known Universe" tackles the question of how exactly astronauts use the bathroom while in space. With star travelers floating through their gravity-free environment, the question surely is a curiosity. And while a comedic fantasy might involve byproduct bouncing lightly through the cabin, the reality is a lot more cold and precise.

Let's just say it involves switches, levers, nozzles, hoses and vacuums. And that answering nature's call isn't exactly the best part of traveling the great beyond.

WATCH:

Comments

[mukTech]

11:12 AM on 05/05/2011

I want to know how they make love in space!!

[catlover68]

01:04 AM on 05/05/2011

That guy looked a little too excited over the thought of using a suction hose to urinate in.
Just sayin...

[Hair ShirT]

10:21 PM on 05/04/2011

I don't suppose it's wise to wait until you're on the verge with all the prep time involved. That could be problematic.

[Maximum number of charac]

06:05 PM on 05/04/2011

What about no. 3?

[mtthwsnchz]

05:36 PM on 05/04/2011

so................ no taco night?

[IndyGuy]

09:18 PM on 05/04/2011

or Schlitz beer!

[Caily]

04:28 PM on 05/04/2011

Ads new meaning to the term "floater."

[jaredbrain]

06:27 PM on 05/04/2011

laughing and frowning

[Caily]

08:27 PM on 05/04/2011

Sorry. Twas not very lady-like of me.

[GaryNOVA]

12:08 AM on 05/05/2011

and "upper decker"

[prt207]

04:23 PM on 05/04/2011

Is the motion of the discharge governed by Einstein's theory of relativity?

[jaredbrain]

06:28 PM on 05/04/2011

a big enough bm could degrade their orbit!

[GaryNOVA]

12:13 AM on 05/05/2011

what happens if twin babies are taking a dump at the speed of light?

[Seafarer61]

03:26 PM on 05/04/2011

Shouldn't this be filed under the technology tab? Seriously....entertainment? Who is in charge of this decision, some scat fan?

[Gavin Saunders]

03:33 PM on 05/04/2011

Why not dedicate a section completely to scatology. There's a lot of mess in the media section that could find a better home there.

[bluguy8]

05:30 PM on 05/04/2011

then that would be the Sarah Palin page-LOL

[Johnz5150]

03:20 PM on 05/04/2011

Still better than what the Apollo astronauts to do. They had to do the 'big job' in a plastic bag, then seal it, and lastly break a small canister of some sort of antibacterial agent and squish it all together – BY HAND then store in a stainless steel box for the trip home. How do you like that mental image?

[shuffleoff]

03:09 PM on 05/04/2011

Love how this story is in the Entertainment section!

[Hunter3203]

02:49 PM on 05/04/2011

What you really don't want to know about is the plans for both trips to Mars and a more self sufficient space station. Liquid waste is purified on-board for reuse as drinking water. You heard that right. The Russians have been testing a system for years and it may be adopted by NASA.

[bigshotprof]

02:38 PM on 05/04/2011

"Houston, we have a uhhhh....ohhhhh... ewwwww . . . problem."

[NoSillyName]

02:16 PM on 05/04/2011

What if #2 isn't solid? What about "overactive bladder"? What about IBS? What about... so many questions.

[MarieNat]

02:14 PM on 05/04/2011

Ew. I have to admit, I always wondered. And now I wish I never found out.

[ArticulateAndClean]

02:07 PM on 05/04/2011

My astronaut neighbor tells me this story is full of crap.

[bigshotprof]

02:39 PM on 05/04/2011

Pun intended? :)