Terry Olaes
I Used to be the [H] News Guy
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2006
- Messages
- 4,646
The urine processing assembly (UPA) is on the fritz at the ISS and NASA is trying to fix it before the shuttle Atlantis arrives next week. The arrival will bump the number of astronauts at the station to 12 and the UPA is an important component in ensuring there is an adequate water supply for drinking, food preparation, and oxygen generation. That mustve pissed off the astronauts when it broke.
The most recent breakdown for the urine processor, which has had glitches before, occurred Oct. 30. Astronauts removed a clog in its intricate plumbing and were testing the fix when they saw it break down again.