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Main Toilet On ISS Craps Out
The Narrative Fallacy writes "NASA has spent years getting ready for a crowd in space — adding additional sleeping quarters, learning how to recycle liquid waste into drinking water, and installing a second bathroom last year. But now the main toilet has broken down on the International Space Station while a record 13 astronauts are on board. For now Mission Control has advised the astronauts to hang an 'out of service' sign on the toilet as it may take days to repair. In the meantime, Endeavour's seven astronauts will be restricted to the shuttle bathroom. Last year a Russian cosmonaut complained that he was no longer allowed to use the US toilet because of billing and cost issues. Now the six space ISS residents will have to get in line to use the back-up toilet in the Russian part of the station. The pump separator on the malfunctioning toilet has apparently flooded, and ESA astronaut Frank De Winne is the guy tasked with putting his plumbing skills to work on short notice. 'We don't yet know the extent of the problem,' says flight director Brian Smith, adding that the toilet troubles were 'not going to be an issue' for now."
Well, now we know what hit Jupiter...
There are lots of jokes to be made here.... but didn't this already happened on "The big bang theory"?
It's all Howard Wolowitz's fault.
When the Russians aren't looking, go take a dump on their side of the space station.
I'm waiting for Hollywood to make a movie about sending Joe the Plumber into space to prevent a Russian chocolate rain of terror raining down on the United States from the ISS. Starring Bruce Willis as Joe the Plumber.
Shit happens.....
*--- Sometimes a majority only means that all the fools are on the same side. ---*
Its a good thing their airlocks are still working. The problem is finding a bush to go behind...
http://michaelsmith.id.au
"ESA astronaut Frank De Winne is the guy tasked with putting his plumbing skills to work on short notice. 'We don't yet know the extent of the problem,' says flight director Brian Smith, adding that the toilet troubles were 'not going to be an issue' for now."
So you've just blasted into space on top of a giant stick of explosives. You're in one of the most unique places in the world with an awesome windows view but you have to spend your time fixing the toilet. That would really ruin his day.
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Apparently the shit hit the fan a little bit too hard.
No sig today...
... but so far have nothing to go on.
After logging in slashdot still does not take you back to the page you were on. It's been that way for 20 years.
The very name 'back-up toilet' evokes bad images. Especially in space. You can't just call Space RotoRooter, you know, if the plumbing clogs. Hey wait. Is there such a thing as an astronaut-plumber specialty? And if so, does NASA issue a suit with a butt crack window? And when they finish unclogging, are they flushed with pride at the accomplishment? Space can be tough; I cannot recall Darth Vader ever going to the bathroom, which may explain his terrible temperament. I'd go over to the Dark Side too, if I'd been constipated for 6 whole movies. No wonder they called it the Death Star, if it lacked toilets.
More importantly, if they jiggle the handel, will it jiggle bach? After all, the toilet *is* baroquen.
No, relatively safe considering they're sitting on a couple of tonnes of highly explosive fuel, in what is essentially a bloody giant missile with passenger seats.
It's easy to criticize when none of us here are experts
This is Slasdot.
We're all experts.
Obligatory Armageddon quote:
American components, Russian components, all made in Taiwan! :)
Ah yes, the Russians. A people renowned for their capacity to endure any hardship, their ability to get things done no matter how badly the system is broken... Let me tell you, there's lots of things you ought to admire about the Russians, sonny boy, but plumbing ain't one of 'em.
Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
Standard Operating Procedure for Waste Disposal Repair:ISS
1. designated technician must respond no sooner than 5 hours after initial failure is detected.
2. display of 2.27-5.323 inches of exposed gluteus maximus is required at all times during any/all repair exercises
3. no work is to be performed for a duration of longer than 12 minutes, without 30 minute recovery period. consumption of 1 slim-jim or approx. 11 corn nuts during recovery period is recommended
4. repair costs will be billed to all parties involved and uninvolved in damage and repair. total repair will be factored against the strength of the yen, yuan, and national deficit accordingly to arrive at a final cost of no less than 3/4th the 2011 NASA budget proposal.
Good people go to bed earlier.
OOohh, well.... (breaths in through teeth)... it's these space toilets. You just can't get the parts these days. I mean, I can probably have it for you for next month, how's that? Any sooner and it means a trip down to the warehouse to pick up bits. And, you know, my little van is going to struggle getting back to Earth and then back again, especially at this time of night.
Tell you what I'll do... Tell you what I'll do... I'll ring me mate. He's just doing a job over on the Mars landers. He'll have it for you in no time, no time at all.
Discount for cash?
You end up with frozen turds in the same orbit as the ISS.
Astronaut looks out the window: "Somebody likes corn."
OHH!! It's EVERYWHERE!!!