Astronauts could ditch diapers on spacewalks thanks to a new device that lets them drink their own urine

Getting beyond the International Space Station (ISS) is hard enough on its own without having to worry about the call of nature during a spacewalk — now scientists say they’ve developed a new way to capture astronaut urine and turn it into drinking water in minutes.

For years, astronauts on spacewalks around the ISS have relieved themselves using a disposable diaper placed inside their spacesuits, known as a maximum absorbency clothing (MAG). These clothes, first designed in early 80’scollect and store urine, allowing astronauts to “go” on their way. However, given that spacewalks can sometimes last up to eight hours, MAGs can make astronauts physically uncomfortable and risk of skin irritation and infection.