Artemis Space Toilet Features, Cost, and Technology 

The Artemis space toilet is part of NASA’s Universal Waste Management System (UWMS) to support the ongoing Artemis II lunar flyby launched on April 1, 2026.

Developed by Collins Aerospace since a 2015 contract, the UWMS prioritizes efficiency, unisex usability, and reliability for crews of four or more on missions lasting up to 21 days.

NASA awarded Collins Aerospace a $23 million fixed-price contract for design, ISS demonstration, and integration into the Orion spacecraft, clarifying reports citing $28 million.

Space Toilet Evolution

Earlier space toilets faced the risk of leaking in the space, and ultimately, the Space Shuttles introduced a suction commode with a four-inch hole.

Improvements to the International Space Station (ISS) toilet reduced leakage but remained bulky, male-centric, and maintenance-intensive, requiring separate urine-collection devices.

Since 2021, the UWMS has built on ISS testing, shrinking volume by 65% to 5 cubic feet and weight by 40%, allowing three toilets to serve up to 11 crew members.

During the Artemis II launch, the UWMS experienced minor glitches, including a frozen vent that temporarily required backup urine bags.

Speaking to Earth via a video link on Thursday on the BBC, mission specialist Christina Koch mentioned there had been a slight issue with the toilet.

“I’m proud to call myself the space plumber, I like to say that it is probably the most important piece of equipment on board,” she said.

As of April 6, the system operates nominally midway to the Moon, despite glitches, and has proven reliable for deep-space missions.

Also Read: Kenya-Linked Climate Camera Set for Launch to International Space Station

Features of the Artemis spacecraft toilet 

• A metallic seat with an openable lid.
• Adjacent unisex funnel/hose for urine.
• Handholds plus foot restraints to secure users against floating.
• Automatic airflow that activates upon lid lift, preventing spills or floating debris.
• Replaceable canisters for solid waste in sealed, odor-filtered bags.
• Corrosion-resistant titanium construction for humidity resistance.
• Blue acoustic foam muffles noise below 68 dBA and EMI-compliant electronics at 120 Vdc.
• Sliding door and optional curtain.

The system accommodates the 95th percentile of male and female body sizes and supports simultaneous urine and fecal collection when needed.

Also Read: Wendy Okolo, Engineer Who Earned a PhD at 26 and Currently Working with NASA

Technology

In the Artemis toilets, the airflow dynamics replace crude vacuums, sealing waste instantly to avoid zero-g floats.

In addition, the fecal bags are fitted with HEPA filter trap doors, and urine pretreats sans chemicals for short-duration missions.

The space toilet also requires less interface cut maintenance than early UWMS systems.

Comparison of the Space Toilets