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Orion's Tiny Cabin: Astronauts Face Cramped Moon Mission
30 Jan
Summary
- The Orion spacecraft is no larger than the back of a Ford Transit van.
- Astronauts will study psychological and physical adaptation to confinement.
- Orion features an upgraded vacuum toilet and a small private hygiene bay.
The Artemis II mission, with its first launch window approaching, will see four astronauts spending 10 days in the confined Orion spacecraft. This vessel, comparable in size to the rear of a Ford Transit van, presents a unique challenge for its crew: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. NASA aims to study how the astronauts psychologically and physically adapt to such close quarters during their lunar orbit.
The mission's focus on crew health and readiness (ARCHR) involves monitoring activity levels, sleep patterns, and interactions. Despite the limited space, Orion has been equipped with a modified International Space Station toilet, the Universal Waste Management System, which utilizes airflow for waste disposal. This system has been adapted for the smaller capsule and includes enhanced privacy features.
Beyond basic facilities, the Orion capsule includes a dedicated hygiene bay for washing in relative privacy, using rinseless toiletries. To combat muscle atrophy in microgravity, a compact gym with a flywheel device is also onboard, allowing for daily resistance exercises. The mission is set to explore the challenges and adaptations required for long-duration spaceflight within these intimate conditions.
