International Space Station Debuts More Efficient Way Of Disposing Its Trash

Last week, Nanoracks—a firm pioneering commercial access to low-Earth orbit—successfully deployed first-of-its-kind technology where 172 lbs of waste were disposed of from the Bishop Airlock aboard the International Space Station (ISS), introducing a new way of eliminating trash in space. 

The trial, which was developed in partnership with NASA’s Johnson Space Center, is a more sustainable and efficient way of eliminating waste, and could soon be used aboard all future commercial space stations, including the company’s Starlab. 

At the moment, astronauts living aboard the ISS collect their trash, storing it away for months while awaiting the arrival of the Cygnus cargo vehicle to haul it away, where the entire spacecraft will burn up upon re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. 

Now, with the new disposal method, the astronauts can store up to 600 lbs of waste—including foam and packing materials, cargo transfer bags, dirty clothing, hygiene products, and office supplies—in a designated container mounted onto the Bishop Airlock. 

Once filled, the waste bag is released and the Airlock re-mounted empty. Similar to the Cygnus, the waste bag will burn up once it reaches the atmosphere, ensuring it doesn’t contribute to any space debris. 

“Waste collection in space has been a long-standing, yet not as publicly discussed, challenge aboard the ISS,” explained Cooper Read, Bishop Airlock’s Program Manager at Nanoracks.

“Four astronauts can generate up to 2,500 kg (5,500 lbs) of trash per year, or about two trash cans per week. As we move into a time with more people living and working in space, this is a critical function just like it is for everyone at home,” he added. 

Check out the trash deployment in action below.

[via Interesting Engineering and Nanoracks, cover image via Nanoracks]