An alarm went off on SpaceX's all-tourist space flight. The problem was the toilet

A startup called Astra, which is developing affordable rockets for satellite delivery, experienced a failed launch attempt on Saturday. The crew of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft encountered a significant issue during a recent mission, prompting them to work with ground controllers to resolve the problem. The issue was related to the spacecraft’s waste management system, specifically the fans that create suction to remove waste. Despite the challenges, the crew successfully addressed the problem, highlighting the importance of their training and mental resilience. The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of dealing with biological needs in space, which has been a concern since the early days of human spaceflight. In-space toilets have evolved over time, but the issue of adapting the human body to microgravity conditions remains. While space travel is often romanticized, it’s crucial to acknowledge the physical discomforts and risks involved.