The Apollo Program
Project Apollo’s goals went beyond landing Americans on the moon and returning them safely to Earth. They included:
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- Establishing the technology to meet other national interests in space.
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- Achieving preeminence in space for the United States.
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- Carrying out a program of scientific exploration of the Moon.
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- Developing human capability to work in the lunar environment.
Apollo astronauts life
Apollo astronauts life was not easy aboard the command and service module, or CSM. Cramped spaces and weightlessness made living in space very different from living on Earth. According to the Smithsonian National Air And Space Museum’s website, consequently, astronauts had to make adjustments in various daily activities, including the way they ate, drank, dressed, and even went to bathroom.
Andy Burns, Student of Space History and Flight Officer / Aviator at United States Navy (USN), explains on Quora.
‘There were no showering/bathing facilities aboard any of the Apollo spacecraft. What washing the astronauts were able to do was via wet washcloths every now and then. The environmental control system circulated air and helped somewhat, but mostly it was just a matter of the whole crew stinking equally and eventually going nose-deaf.’
How did Apollo Astronauts poop during their journey to the Moon?
Carefully. Very, very, carefully.
They stripped down completely – there was no way to shower or wash clothes – and got as far from their crewmates as possible. (Nowhere near far enough, I’m sure.) Then they stuck a bag which had a ring with glue on it on their butt and did the necessary. Assuming it was firm, they had to then insert their finger into a covered hole to break it off. (No gravity to make it fall.)
To add insult to injury, they then had to put a certain fluid that killed the bacteria in with the poop, seal the bag, and knead the contents to fully mix that substance into the poop.
Julie Ritt, an expert in NASA history, explains on Quora;
‘That’s assuming that they managed to get the bag attached to their bootie before anything exited the premises.’
Apollo 10 astronauts issues with feces
As reported by Popular Science, Apollo 10 (crewed by John Young, Thomas Stafford and Gene Cernan) had issues with random feces floating in the cabin, the ownership of which no one would admit.
“Oh — Who did it?” Tom Stafford asks at one point. Confused, Young and Cernan reply, “Who did what?”
Cernan: “Where did that come from?”
Stafford: “Get me a napkin quick. There’s a turd floating through the air.”
Young: “I didn’t do it. It ain’t one of mine.”
Cernan: “I don’t think it’s one of mine.”
Stafford: “Mine was a little more sticky than that. Throw that away.”
Young: “God Almighty”
(laughter)
According to HuffPost, later on, they were interrupted again:
Cernan: “Here’s another goddam turd. What’s the matter with you guys? Here, give me a —“
(laughter from Young and Stafford)
Stafford: “It was just floating around?”
Cernan: “Yes.”
Stafford (laughing): “Mine was stickier than that.”
Young: “Mine was too. It hit that bag —“
Cernan: “I don’t know whose that is. I can neither claim it nor disclaim it (laughter).”
Young: “What the hell is going on here?”
Sheer stink
Burns goes on to explain;
‘According to the reports of the Navy rescue swimmers who were responsible for opening the spacecraft hatch after splashdown, the sheer stink of an Apollo cabin after two weeks was awe-inspiring.’
To reassure any future astronauts who may be rethinking their career choice, the facilities have improved significantly. Now they have a proper toilet. It even has a camera, so you can perfect your aim!
Photo by NASA