Astronauts have a unique way of defecating in space — and addressing mystery ‘floaters’
By Caitlin Mccormack
Published on April 2, 2026.
Astronauts have a unique method of defecating in space, using a tube to collect their feces and dispose of them into canisters, which can't be disposed of until they've landed back on Earth. The Canadian Space Agency astronaut, Jeremy Hansen, shared a video tour of the Artemis II mission's new lunar loo, which includes a door to provide greater privacy for the astronauts. The astronauts' urine is collected through a hose to deposit the liquid into space. However, during the Apollo 10 mission in 1969, astronauts were frequently interrupted by 'floaters' during practice runs.
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