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What were the “pills” that were added to solid waste in Apollo 7?

Did astronauts on the moon poop in front of each other?What is the most sustainable method of recycling (human) solid waste on a manned space vessel?What happens to waste on the ISS?Could waste methane be recycled as propellant on the ISS?What considerations have been made for waste produced during colonisation?What were the differences between the LLRV and LLTV?Why were Solid Rockets chosen for the SLSHow does methane waste produced by the ISS interact with our Atmosphere?What is in ISS's waste product “brine”, and how is it disposed?Are there any photographs of the frozen waste water after a urine dump in space?Did any Apollo astronaut remain disrobed to simplify his waste disposal? $;$

1

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In the BBC News Worldservice podcast 10, 9, 8, 7: The dramatic missions that made the Moon landing possible told by retired astronaut Nicole Stott (Expeditions 20, 21, STS-128 and STS-133) after 12:50, Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham talks about the challenges of pooing in the Apollo-7 capsule, which apparently didn't begin until day 3.

He mentions some pills that had to be retrieved and then mixed in with the solid waste manually. What where these pills made of, and what was their function?

nasa crewed-spaceflight identify-this-object waste apollo-7

share|improve this question

asked 5 hours ago

uhohuhoh

43.3k19165542

$endgroup$

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  Pictured and described in this answer: space.stackexchange.com/a/32302/26446
  $endgroup$
  – Dr Sheldon
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  There's some related discussion in the Vintage Space video Broken Space Toilets mean Floating Fecal Dust
  $endgroup$
  – uhoh
  10 mins ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

1

$begingroup$

In the BBC News Worldservice podcast 10, 9, 8, 7: The dramatic missions that made the Moon landing possible told by retired astronaut Nicole Stott (Expeditions 20, 21, STS-128 and STS-133) after 12:50, Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham talks about the challenges of pooing in the Apollo-7 capsule, which apparently didn't begin until day 3.

He mentions some pills that had to be retrieved and then mixed in with the solid waste manually. What where these pills made of, and what was their function?

nasa crewed-spaceflight identify-this-object waste apollo-7

share|improve this question

asked 5 hours ago

uhohuhoh

43.3k19165542

$endgroup$

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  Pictured and described in this answer: space.stackexchange.com/a/32302/26446
  $endgroup$
  – Dr Sheldon
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  There's some related discussion in the Vintage Space video Broken Space Toilets mean Floating Fecal Dust
  $endgroup$
  – uhoh
  10 mins ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

$begingroup$

In the BBC News Worldservice podcast 10, 9, 8, 7: The dramatic missions that made the Moon landing possible told by retired astronaut Nicole Stott (Expeditions 20, 21, STS-128 and STS-133) after 12:50, Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham talks about the challenges of pooing in the Apollo-7 capsule, which apparently didn't begin until day 3.

He mentions some pills that had to be retrieved and then mixed in with the solid waste manually. What where these pills made of, and what was their function?

nasa crewed-spaceflight identify-this-object waste apollo-7

share|improve this question

asked 5 hours ago

uhohuhoh

43.3k19165542

$endgroup$

share|improve this question

asked 5 hours ago

uhohuhoh

43.3k19165542

share|improve this question

asked 5 hours ago

uhohuhoh

43.3k19165542

asked 5 hours ago

uhohuhoh

43.3k19165542

asked 5 hours ago

uhohuhoh

43.3k19165542

1 Answer
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In order to prevent bacteria in the solid waste from producing gas, which could rupture the storage bags, a germicide was added to the bag after use and "kneaded in" to mix it with the waste once the bag was sealed. The germicide would kill the bacteria and render the potential poo-bomb inert.

I haven't seen this germicide referred to as a "pill" previously, but rather as a "pouch"; I think it's the packet of greenish-black material in this photo:

However, the caption of the photo in the context I found it refers to a "tablet" which is nowhere to be seen.

The most authoritative reference I found was Apollo Experience Report: Crew Provisions and Equipment Subsystem:

To use the FCA, the crewman attaches the outer fecal bag properly and proceeds with fecal elimination. Upon completion of the action and subsequent sanitary cleansing, the tissues and refuse are placed in the inner fecal/emesis bag. The crewman then removes the germicide pouch, cuts the outer protective seal, and places it in the inner bag. Finally, all items are placed into the outer fecal bag, the bag is sealed, the germicide pouch is ruptured by hand pressure, the bag is kneaded, and the contents are
stowed in the waste-stowage compartment.

Nice of them to give the astronauts an outer bag so they wouldn't have to watch the kneading process.

The report goes on to explain that this is the worst solution available to the solid waste problem, except for all the others:

Although the Apollo fecal-collection system is the same as that used in the Gemini Program, many new concepts and designs were investigated and tested. Various types of canisters, with and without air blowers, were developed with some success. In all cases, the primary problem has been the separation, in a weightless environment, of the fecal wastes from the crewmen. Nothing has proved more effective than the current system, which has proved adequate for all flights, although the crewmen have expressed dislike for it.

I do see references to germicidal tablets to be added to empty food packets after a crewman is done eating, for similar reasons, in Apollo Experience Report: Food Systems. I assume Walter Cunningham just conflated the germicidal pouches and tablets in his memory, 50 years after his flight.

share|improve this answer

edited 4 hours ago

answered 5 hours ago

Russell BorogoveRussell Borogove

92.1k3308393

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add a comment | 

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4

$begingroup$

In order to prevent bacteria in the solid waste from producing gas, which could rupture the storage bags, a germicide was added to the bag after use and "kneaded in" to mix it with the waste once the bag was sealed. The germicide would kill the bacteria and render the potential poo-bomb inert.

I haven't seen this germicide referred to as a "pill" previously, but rather as a "pouch"; I think it's the packet of greenish-black material in this photo:

However, the caption of the photo in the context I found it refers to a "tablet" which is nowhere to be seen.

The most authoritative reference I found was Apollo Experience Report: Crew Provisions and Equipment Subsystem:

To use the FCA, the crewman attaches the outer fecal bag properly and proceeds with fecal elimination. Upon completion of the action and subsequent sanitary cleansing, the tissues and refuse are placed in the inner fecal/emesis bag. The crewman then removes the germicide pouch, cuts the outer protective seal, and places it in the inner bag. Finally, all items are placed into the outer fecal bag, the bag is sealed, the germicide pouch is ruptured by hand pressure, the bag is kneaded, and the contents are
stowed in the waste-stowage compartment.

Nice of them to give the astronauts an outer bag so they wouldn't have to watch the kneading process.

The report goes on to explain that this is the worst solution available to the solid waste problem, except for all the others:

Although the Apollo fecal-collection system is the same as that used in the Gemini Program, many new concepts and designs were investigated and tested. Various types of canisters, with and without air blowers, were developed with some success. In all cases, the primary problem has been the separation, in a weightless environment, of the fecal wastes from the crewmen. Nothing has proved more effective than the current system, which has proved adequate for all flights, although the crewmen have expressed dislike for it.

I do see references to germicidal tablets to be added to empty food packets after a crewman is done eating, for similar reasons, in Apollo Experience Report: Food Systems. I assume Walter Cunningham just conflated the germicidal pouches and tablets in his memory, 50 years after his flight.

share|improve this answer

edited 4 hours ago

answered 5 hours ago

Russell BorogoveRussell Borogove

92.1k3308393

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

4

$begingroup$

In order to prevent bacteria in the solid waste from producing gas, which could rupture the storage bags, a germicide was added to the bag after use and "kneaded in" to mix it with the waste once the bag was sealed. The germicide would kill the bacteria and render the potential poo-bomb inert.

I haven't seen this germicide referred to as a "pill" previously, but rather as a "pouch"; I think it's the packet of greenish-black material in this photo:

However, the caption of the photo in the context I found it refers to a "tablet" which is nowhere to be seen.

The most authoritative reference I found was Apollo Experience Report: Crew Provisions and Equipment Subsystem:

To use the FCA, the crewman attaches the outer fecal bag properly and proceeds with fecal elimination. Upon completion of the action and subsequent sanitary cleansing, the tissues and refuse are placed in the inner fecal/emesis bag. The crewman then removes the germicide pouch, cuts the outer protective seal, and places it in the inner bag. Finally, all items are placed into the outer fecal bag, the bag is sealed, the germicide pouch is ruptured by hand pressure, the bag is kneaded, and the contents are
stowed in the waste-stowage compartment.

Nice of them to give the astronauts an outer bag so they wouldn't have to watch the kneading process.

The report goes on to explain that this is the worst solution available to the solid waste problem, except for all the others:

Although the Apollo fecal-collection system is the same as that used in the Gemini Program, many new concepts and designs were investigated and tested. Various types of canisters, with and without air blowers, were developed with some success. In all cases, the primary problem has been the separation, in a weightless environment, of the fecal wastes from the crewmen. Nothing has proved more effective than the current system, which has proved adequate for all flights, although the crewmen have expressed dislike for it.

I do see references to germicidal tablets to be added to empty food packets after a crewman is done eating, for similar reasons, in Apollo Experience Report: Food Systems. I assume Walter Cunningham just conflated the germicidal pouches and tablets in his memory, 50 years after his flight.

share|improve this answer

edited 4 hours ago

answered 5 hours ago

Russell BorogoveRussell Borogove

92.1k3308393

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

$begingroup$

In order to prevent bacteria in the solid waste from producing gas, which could rupture the storage bags, a germicide was added to the bag after use and "kneaded in" to mix it with the waste once the bag was sealed. The germicide would kill the bacteria and render the potential poo-bomb inert.

I haven't seen this germicide referred to as a "pill" previously, but rather as a "pouch"; I think it's the packet of greenish-black material in this photo:

However, the caption of the photo in the context I found it refers to a "tablet" which is nowhere to be seen.

The most authoritative reference I found was Apollo Experience Report: Crew Provisions and Equipment Subsystem:

To use the FCA, the crewman attaches the outer fecal bag properly and proceeds with fecal elimination. Upon completion of the action and subsequent sanitary cleansing, the tissues and refuse are placed in the inner fecal/emesis bag. The crewman then removes the germicide pouch, cuts the outer protective seal, and places it in the inner bag. Finally, all items are placed into the outer fecal bag, the bag is sealed, the germicide pouch is ruptured by hand pressure, the bag is kneaded, and the contents are
stowed in the waste-stowage compartment.

Nice of them to give the astronauts an outer bag so they wouldn't have to watch the kneading process.

The report goes on to explain that this is the worst solution available to the solid waste problem, except for all the others:

Although the Apollo fecal-collection system is the same as that used in the Gemini Program, many new concepts and designs were investigated and tested. Various types of canisters, with and without air blowers, were developed with some success. In all cases, the primary problem has been the separation, in a weightless environment, of the fecal wastes from the crewmen. Nothing has proved more effective than the current system, which has proved adequate for all flights, although the crewmen have expressed dislike for it.

I do see references to germicidal tablets to be added to empty food packets after a crewman is done eating, for similar reasons, in Apollo Experience Report: Food Systems. I assume Walter Cunningham just conflated the germicidal pouches and tablets in his memory, 50 years after his flight.

share|improve this answer

edited 4 hours ago

answered 5 hours ago

Russell BorogoveRussell Borogove

92.1k3308393

$endgroup$

share|improve this answer

edited 4 hours ago

answered 5 hours ago

Russell BorogoveRussell Borogove

92.1k3308393

answered 5 hours ago

Russell BorogoveRussell Borogove

92.1k3308393

answered 5 hours ago

Russell BorogoveRussell Borogove

92.1k3308393