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NASA's New Bag Turns Urine Into Sports Drink

Posted by samzenpus on from the I'm-afraid-that's-not-lemon-flavored-dave dept.

An anonymous reader writes "NASA's Atlantis shuttle is set to launch this Friday, and its crew will be testing an innovative device that can recycle human urine into a sugary sports drink. The bag uses forward osmosis technology and features a semi-permeable membrane capable of isolating water from virtually any liquid. Recycling urine in this way has a significant effect on a ship's payload, and considering that a single pound adds $10,000 of cost, that slight weight difference can translate to serious savings." CT: I'm at Kennedy Space Center now, tweeting as @cmdrtaco. And I think I'll stay away from the sports drink.

15 of 182 comments (clear)

  1. Having tasted many sports drinks... by Kenja · · Score: 5, Funny

    I bet they could have gotten away with just a regular plastic bag.

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
    1. Re:Having tasted many sports drinks... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      I haven't tasted urine, but based on the reactions of people who have, I'm guessing you haven't either.

    2. Re:Having tasted many sports drinks... by tripleevenfall · · Score: 4, Funny

      Urine idiot.

  2. Just in time! by JudgeFurious · · Score: 4, Funny

    We needed something to wash the "Turd Burger" down with!

    --
    Appended to the end of comments you post. 120 chars.
  3. Just ask Bear Grylls by Reverand+Dave · · Score: 5, Funny

    Piss was already a sports drink.

    --
    I got here through a series of tubes
  4. In related news:Nasa nixes asparagas from menu.... by bodland · · Score: 5, Funny

    It IS in you...

  5. My favorite quote applies by Synn · · Score: 3, Funny

    "You cannot pee into a Mr. Coffee and get Taster's Choice!"

  6. Name it... by JoeTalbott · · Score: 4, Funny

    Tang 2.0

  7. It's got electrolytes... by goldspider · · Score: 4, Funny

    It has what astronauts crave!

    --
    "Ask not what your country can do for you." --John F. Kennedy
  8. New Advertising Slogan by tool462 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Gatorade. Was it in you?

  9. Re:Clear as Rocky Mountain spring water by Tsingi · · Score: 3, Funny

    ....and by removing the filter, the bag can convert urine into Coors Lite.

    Add one redneck and you have a perpetual (quasi) beer machine.

  10. Yes... by pelrun · · Score: 3, Funny

    Twice!

  11. Heh. by CrazyDuke · · Score: 1, Funny

    "It's got electrolytes. It's what plants crave."

    Idiocracy FTW.

    --
    Any sufficiently advanced influence is indistinguishable from control.
  12. Re:That is one beta test I am glad I am not part o by ArsonSmith · · Score: 3, Funny

    taste tester: "which of these three samples taste the least like piss?"

    --
    Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
  13. Re:Can we get a Nike endorsement? by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 1, Funny

    Born Survivor? Tory prat.

    --
    "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
    Never been known to fail..."