The Digester
science

Artemis II toilet malfunctions, crew using backup urine bags

Orion's urine line has been hit and miss since liftoff, producing odor and prompting Mission Control to direct use of backup urine bags while engineers probe a suspected ice blockage.

Apr 5th 2026 · United States

Insights

  • The Orion toilet has intermittently failed since liftoff, preventing urine from fully flushing.
  • Engineers suspect ice is blocking a line and are investigating the fault.
  • Mission Control instructed the crew to use backup urine collection bags while the issue is addressed and the toilet remains available for solid waste.
  • Astronauts have reported an odor coming from the bathroom area.
  • The crew are trained to manage the situation and the mission continues as planned.
  • Artemis II is the first moon-bound crew since 1972 and will travel beyond 252,000 miles, with Canadian Jeremy Hansen the first non-U.S. citizen on a lunar mission.

Sources