On April 1, 2026, NASA launched the Artemis II crew on its second test flight toward the Moon. After successful perigee and apogee burns, the Orion crew reported a blinking fault indicator during routine checks in Houston. Mission Control traced the problem to the fan in Orion’s Universal Waste Management System (UWMS) toilet, which prevented the crew from using the device to urinate.
The UWMS, modeled after the International Space Station’s system, is designed to provide a dignified and hygienic solution for waste in microgravity. The fan not only ventilates the toilet compartment but also creates the airflow that pulls urine toward the collection chamber, preventing floating droplets throughout the spacecraft. Without the fan, the crew could still handle solid waste, but urine could not be managed safely.
After receiving troubleshooting guidance from Houston, crew member Christina Koch successfully restored the fan’s operation. Mission Control advised the crew to wait a short period before attempting to use the toilet again.
In the absence of gravity, the UWMS relies on controlled airflow rather than water to transport waste. Airflow automatically begins as soon as the toilet lid opens, directing both solid and liquid waste into their respective receptacles.
To maintain stability, astronauts strap themselves to the toilet using foot restraints and handrails, which prevent them from drifting away while they use the system. The seat is compact, and a specially shaped funnel attached to a hose allows simultaneous urination and defecation.
For the ten‑day Artemis II mission, solid waste is collected in bags, then stored in a canister that the crew will return to Earth. Urine is captured in a collapsible contingency urinal and vented into space several times per day via Orion’s vent system.
Additional operational constraints include the toilet’s location beneath the collapsible space‑rowing machine, meaning the rower and toilet cannot be used simultaneously. The fan’s loud operation also requires crew members to wear ear protection while using the toilet.
