Four astronauts are currently making history, hurtling deeper into space than any human has gone in over 50 years. Their destination? The far side of the moon. Their biggest challenge so far? A finicky space toilet.
NASA’s Artemis II mission, launched just days ago, is on track to smash the record for the farthest human journey from Earth. This crew is the first to head moonward since the Apollo program wrapped up in 1972. And they're doing it just in time for a total solar eclipse, because apparently that's where we are now.
"The Earth is quite small, and the moon is definitely getting bigger," reported pilot Victor Glover, after their thruster fired to send them past Earth's gravitational pull. A truly humbling observation from someone who’s about to see the entire spherical surface of the moon, including the bits near both poles. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying.
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Start Your News DetoxThe Unsung Hero: A Space Toilet (That Doesn't Work)
While they're busy breaking records and gawking at the moon's "Grand Canyon" (the Orientale Basin, for those keeping score), a more terrestrial problem has reared its head: the toilet in their Orion capsule is on the fritz. Mission control has advised the crew to resort to backup urine collection bags, because, well, when you gotta go, you gotta go.
Engineers suspect an ice blockage in the line that flushes waste overboard. Debbie Korth, deputy manager of NASA’s Orion program, dryly noted that "Space toilets and bathrooms are something everybody can really understand. It’s always a challenge." Apparently, even high-tech space commodes built into the capsule floor with doors and curtains for privacy (because even in space, you need some privacy) still tend to be a pain. The space shuttle toilet also often broke down. Some things, it seems, never change.
Despite the plumbing woes, morale is reportedly high. Commander Reid Wiseman even shared a "greatest moment of my entire life" update after speaking with his daughters from space. Because nothing puts a broken toilet in perspective like a cosmic video call with your kids.
Moon Views and Future Plans
The crew, including Glover, Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen, will soon enter the moon's "sphere of influence," where lunar gravity will take over. They'll whip around the moon, reaching just over 4,000 miles from its surface – close enough to get those unprecedented full-sphere views.
They've even had geology training to help them spot and photograph lunar features, having memorized the moon’s "big 15." Because when you're hurtling through the vacuum of space, you might as well get some good Instagram content. And if all goes to plan, this record-breaking trip is just the beginning. NASA aims to land two crew members near the lunar south pole by 2028, setting up a permanent base for even more exploration. Let's just hope they figure out the plumbing by then.
