NASA Astronauts Celebrate Toilet Success in Artemis II Mission

Thu Apr 02 2026 17:41:08 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Artemis II crew rejoices as their toilet issue is resolved while preparing for a historic fly-around of the moon.

NASA's Artemis II mission astronauts now enjoy a functioning toilet aboard their Orion capsule, allowing them to focus on the upcoming fly-around of the moon. Despite chilly conditions, the crew appreciates breathtaking views of Earth as they prepare for a splashdown on April 10, 2024.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA's moonbound astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission can celebrate a significant victory: their onboard toilet is now operational. The crew encountered a malfunction shortly after reaching orbit, prompting Mission Control to guide astronaut Christina Koch through necessary troubleshooting techniques.

However, the crew faces an unanticipated challenge of another kind. With the Orion capsule's interior temperature dropping to 65°F (18°C), the four astronauts have been rummaging through their bags for warmer clothing while Mission Control seeks a solution to heat the environment.

The mission, featuring three American astronauts and one Canadian, is on track to execute a dramatic translunar injection—NASA's first since Apollo's last mission in 1972—set for Thursday evening. In the meantime, the crew has taken a moment to appreciate the stunning sights of Earth from their vantage point, reporting visibility of entire coastlines and even the South Pole.

Koch, echoing the sentiments of her crewmates, described the experience as absolutely phenomenal.
The Artemis II mission will culminate in a Pacific splashdown on April 10, 2024, marking a crucial phase in NASA's ongoing efforts toward lunar exploration, including plans for a moon landing with two astronauts by 2028. Nevertheless, the functioning toilet may still require design enhancements for future missions.

The capsule's innovative toilet system, initially developed for the International Space Station, adopts a unique air suction mechanism for waste removal instead of gravity-driven methods. It's engineered to better accommodate female astronauts. Until the toilet was fixed, Koch and her fellow astronauts adapted to a temporary method involving a bag and funnel for urination—an experience that pales compared to the challenges faced by their Apollo predecessors, who relied solely on similar bags during their lunar journeys.

NASA's commitment to advancing space travel continues, supported by the legacy of earlier astronauts who paved the way for this new era of exploration.