Americans on International Space Station left unable to process URINE, say Russia – Mirror.co.uk

As far as toilet problems go, the location perhaps could not be worse.

The International Space Station was reportedly at the centre of loo plumbing problems in recent days after power issues caused issues processing urine.

The problem occurred on the American side of the facility, Russian media reports.

The claims have emerged only days after US President Donald Trump joked during a video conference with the ISS that he wouldn't want to re-use human urine as drinking water after hearing it was a practice common in space.

NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson had explained to Mr Trump in the Oval Officer how human waste was repurposed for consumption because resources such as water were so scarce.

With the urine processing problems, reports claim experts have been discussing options for replacing the power connection.

This may have required a spacewalk or "remote manipulator", Interfax reports.

"On Sunday, the urine recycling system is out of order, it specialists understand a problem with distiller," a space industry source told the outlet.

"Perhaps the unit will be replaced as part of the planned May 12, spacewalks, but may be required and unscheduled exit."

NASA tonight confirmed to The Mirror there was a "momentary" issue with the urine processing system.

However, the problem had been resolved and no astronauts were affected, a NASA spokeswoman said.

In 2012, The Mirror reported that three astronauts on board the ISS used a bag-like collection system to manage since the problem which concerns the collection of urine, not solid waste first occurred.

Wrenches, a spare part for the space station's oxygen generator, and a microbe-killing device for use in the space lab have all had to make way for the pump that should fix the Russian-built toilet.

"Clearly, having a working toilet is a priority for us, so some of these things that we didn't need for the next six months or so could wait," said payload manager Scott Higginbotham.

During a video call with NASA astronauts Monday, President Donald Trump joked that he wouldn't want to re-use human urine as drinking water.

It is a common practice in US spaceflight as astronauts "clean" the urine and reuse it.

Mr Trump responded that he would rather the space travelers drink it than himself.

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Americans on International Space Station left unable to process URINE, say Russia - Mirror.co.uk