Artemis II Crew Resolves Orion Capsule Toilet Malfunction En Route to Moon
The Artemis II crew successfully addressed a toilet malfunction aboard the Orion capsule during their mission to the Moon.
Shortly after launching on April 1, 2026, the Artemis II crew encountered a malfunction with the Orion spacecraft's toilet system. Mission Control guided astronaut Christina Koch through troubleshooting procedures, leading to the restoration of the toilet's functionality.
The issue involved a jammed fan in the urine collection system, attributed to a controller problem. While the fecal collection system remained operational, astronauts temporarily used backup methods, including collapsible contingency urinals.
The Universal Waste Management System (UWMS) aboard Orion is a compact version of the International Space Station's toilet, designed to accommodate both male and female astronauts. It utilizes airflow-based waste collection with personal funnels for urination.
The Artemis II mission, carrying four astronauts, marks NASA's first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years. The 10-day mission includes a lunar flyby, with the crew expected to return to Earth on April 10.