Daily Technology in Space: Challenges and Innovations
Space technology requires that many of the items we use daily undergo significant modifications to function effectively in zero gravity environments. This article explores some of the familiar technologies that fail to work as expected in space.
The Importance of Gravity and Space Toilets
One of the most surprising everyday items that fails to function in space is something so commonplace we often take for granted: the toilet. Toilets rely heavily on the force of gravity, and without it, their mechanisms do not operate as intended. In space, waste cannot be contained using the traditional methods, and the u-shaped pipe that prevents odor from escaping on Earth is ineffective.
To address these challenges, engineers have developed complex space toilets that utilize vacuum suction pumps and hoses to manage waste. Here, an image from Wikipedia illustrates the complexity of space toilets:
[Insert Image from Wikipedia]
Biological Maintenance and Technological Challenges
Some of the more personal technologies used in daily life also face significant issues in space. For instance, the ventriculoperitoneal shunt, a device used to treat hydrocephalus, operates on hydraulic pressure. Would it still function effectively in space? Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer to this question.
Pens and writing tools present another set of challenges. Common pens that rely on gravity to deliver ink do not work in space. Instead, specialized pens designed for zero gravity are utilized. As detailed in the movie 3 Idiots, conventional pens become unusable due to the lack of gravitational pressure needed to keep ink flowing into the writing mechanism.
Chemical Analysis and Measurement in Space
Techniques for measuring and analyzing substances also require adaptation to the space environment. Scales, for instance, cannot be used to measure weight due to the absence of gravity. Therefore, methods and tools that do not rely on Earth's gravitational forces are designed specifically for use in space. This poses a challenge for tasks such as weighing chemical powders for experiments on the International Space Station (ISS).
Currently, experiments on the ISS must be pre-measured on Earth before transportation to space. Creative solutions are required to ensure that experiments can still be conducted accurately in the microgravity environment.
The Apollo Spacecraft and Writing Tools
A less known but interesting challenge faced by astronauts is the optimal writing tool in space. Traditional pencils present issues, such as flaking tips and the potential for graphite dust to cause short circuits in electrical equipment. The Apollo spacecraft were not immune to these risks, as evidenced by the tragic Apollo 1 fire.
[ text{NASA ultimately adopted the AG-7 pen, developed by the Fisher Pen Company in 1967. This pen utilized a pressurized cartridge filled with nitrogen and a gel ink that could write upside down, underwater, and under various temperature conditions.} ] $insert Fisher Pen AG-7 Specifications
As a result, the Fisher Pen Company’s AG-7 and modifications of it have been used in space missions since the Apollo 11 mission. The AG-7 pen, and similar models, have proven to be highly reliable and versatile tools for astronauts, making them worth the investment in both technology and funding.
The AG-7 pen is now commercially available and can be purchased online for around $60 per pen, with a refill costing around $6.50. This tool, and similar innovations, demonstrate the significant adaptations required in space technology to ensure the safety and success of space missions.
To conclude, while many of our everyday technologies face new challenges in space, creative solutions and adaptive designs have allowed astronauts to continue conducting their work in these unique environments. These challenges continue to drive technological innovation and help pave the way for future space exploration.