What will happen with water in space. Water in space: what planets it is on, and what astronauts drink

Water in Space - What does it give us?

Water in space significantly increases the chances of transferring life from planet to planet. Water in outer space can exist in states that are difficult to imagine - in particular, there are suggestions that the surface of Neptune may be a water ocean in a special superionic form. Water in nanotubes does not freeze even at temperatures close to absolute zero.

Water is the most widespread molecular substance in the Universe, after hydrogen. Water plays crucial role in the process of the emergence of biological life forms and in the formation of stars. is a prerequisite for the development of living organisms, therefore, the discovery of water in space, the search for water in the bowels and on the surface of the Moon, Mars and other planets is a key point in research. According to the usual concepts, it is a homogeneous medium that is not capable of forming any long-term structures. It is known, however, that hydrogen bonds are established between water molecules in liquid form, but it was believed that they are extremely ephemeral and exist only for short moments - 10-14 seconds. However, in-depth study of the properties of chemically pure water has led to discouraging results.
So, Russian scientists not only experimentally demonstrated the possibility of mental impact on water, changing its parameters, but also demonstrated the ability to "read" information recorded in water.

Water in space is an opportunity for travel in the Universe

Therefore, the presence of water sources on the moon is very important for human life. This is an opportunity to receive oxygen and drinking water for inhabited bases directly on the Moon, and not to bring them from Earth. This is the possibility of breeding seaweed and fish. This is the production of rocket fuel (liquid oxygen and hydrogen) using electrolysis.
Moreover, if we know for sure that there is a source of water in this region of the Moon, then the lunar expedition can be sent one way. Installing solar farms. We hide under the regolith layer from temperature changes. At a depth of 1 m, the temperature is stable. Having water and electricity, you can quickly establish the production of oxygen and food.

Russia has an advantage over other countries in space propulsion systems that run on liquefied oxygen and hydrogen. "Buran" capable of carrying 100 tons of payload into orbit. American launch vehicles run on gunpowder and lag behind in power. Adjustment of such propulsion systems will require about 10-15 years of work for the entire economy of the country.

Water in space is an opportunity to quickly adjust the production of rocket fuel for space shuttles returning to Earth. By using low temperatures (about 14 days at night), the technology for liquefying hydrogen and oxygen is much simpler than fusion on Earth.
The lunar surface has one essential physical element. Helium-3 is a rare substance, costing 4 billion dollars per ton, and on the Moon it is millions of tons (from studies of lunar rocks). The material is used in the nuclear and nuclear industries for ignition thermonuclear reaction... Astronauts who are on the satellite can begin collecting material and preparing it for sending to Earth.
The deposit of water ice on the Moon. Lunar Apennines. Sale of rights to the alleged ice (water) deposit on the Moon. After NASA LRO studies (2009), this assumption was confirmed and the value increased many times. The sale of rights includes the transfer of authorship, up to and including a change in the name of the deposit.

Water is life. This thought is thousands of years old, and it still has not lost its relevance. With the onset of the space age, the importance of water has only increased, since literally everything depends on water in space, from the operation of the space station itself to the production of oxygen. The first space flights did not have a closed "water supply" system. That is, all the water was taken on board initially, even from the Earth. Today the ISS has a partially closed water recovery system, and in this article you will learn the details.

Where does the ISS water come from

Water regeneration is the re-production of water. Hence, the most important conclusion must be made that initially water to the ISS is delivered from the Earth. It is impossible to regenerate water unless it is initially delivered from Earth. The regeneration process itself lowers the cost of space travel and makes the ISS system less dependent on terrestrial services.

Water delivered from Earth is used by the ISS many times. Currently, the ISS uses several methods of water regeneration:

• Condensation of moisture from the air;
• Waste water treatment;
• Recycling of urine and solid waste;

The ISS is equipped with special equipment that condenses moisture from the air. Moisture in the air is natural, it exists both in space and on Earth. In the process of vital activity, astronauts can release up to 2.5 liters of liquid per day. In addition, the ISS has special filters to clean the used water. But given the fact how do astronauts wash, household water consumption is significantly different from the terrestrial one. Recycling of urine and solid waste is a new development applied on the ISS only since 2010.

At the moment, the ISS requires about 9000 liters of water per year to operate. This is a general figure that reflects all costs. Water on the ISS is recovered by about 93%, so the volume of water supplies to the ISS is significantly lower. But do not forget that with each complete cycle of water use, its total volume decreases by 7%, which makes the ISS dependent on supplies from Earth.

Since May 29, 2009, the number of crew members has doubled - from 3 to 6 people. Along with this, water consumption has also increased, but modern technologies have made it possible to increase the number of astronauts on the ISS.

Water regeneration in space

When it comes to space, it is important to take into account energy consumption, or, as they are called in the professional sphere, mass consumption, for the production of water. The first full-fledged water regeneration apparatus appeared at the Mir station, and over the entire period of its existence it allowed to “save” 58650 kg of cargo delivered from the Earth. Recalling that the delivery of 1 kg of cargo costs about 5-6 thousand US dollars, the first full-fledged water recovery system has reduced costs by about 300 million US dollars.

Modern Russian water regeneration systems SRV-K2M and Electron-VM make it possible to provide the astronauts on the ISS with water by 63%. Biochemical analysis showed that the regenerated water does not lose its original properties and is completely drinkable. At the moment, Russian scientists are working on creating a more closed system, which will provide the astronauts with 95% water. There are prospects for the development of purification systems that will provide a 100% closed cycle.

The American Water Regeneration System - ECLSS, was developed in 2008. It allows not only to collect moisture from the air, but also to regenerate water from urine and solid waste. Despite serious problems and frequent breakdowns during the first two years of operation, today ECLSS can recover 100% moisture from the air and 85% moisture from urine and solid waste. As a result, a modern apparatus has appeared on the ISS, which makes it possible to restore up to 93% of the original volume of water.

Water purification

The key point in regeneration is water purification. The purification systems collect any water left over from cooking, dirty water from washing, and even the sweat of astronauts. All this water is collected in a special distiller, visually similar to a barrel. When purifying water, it is necessary to create artificial gravity, for this the distiller rotates, while the dirty water is driven through the filters. The result is pure drinking water, which is superior in quality to drinking water in many parts of the world.

At the last stage, iodine is added to the water. This chemical helps prevent the growth of microbes and bacteria, and is also an essential element for the health of astronauts. An interesting fact is that on Earth iodized water is considered too expensive for mass use, and chlorine is used instead of iodine. The use of chlorine on the ISS was abandoned due to the aggressiveness of this element, and the greater benefit from iodine.

Consumption of water in space

To ensure the vital activity of astronauts, a colossal amount of water is required. If by our days they had not established a water regeneration system, then space exploration would surely be stuck in the past. Taking into account the water consumption in space, the following data are used per 1 person per day:

• 2.2 liters - drinking and cooking;
• 0.2 liters - hygiene;
• 0.3 liters - toilet flush;

The consumption of water for drinking and food practically corresponds to the earthly norms. Hygiene and toilet are much less, although they are all recyclable and reusable, but this is energy-intensive, so costs have been reduced as well. An interesting fact is that if a Russian cosmonaut has 2.7 liters of water per day, then about 3.6 liters are allocated to American astronauts. The American mission continues to receive water from the Earth, as well as the Russian cosmonauts. But unlike the Russian mission, the Americans receive water in small plastic bags, and our astronauts in 22 liter barrels.

Recycled water use

A layman might assume that the astronauts on the ISS drink water recycled from their own urine and solid waste. In fact, this is not the case; astronauts use pure spring water delivered from Earth for drinking and cooking. The water additionally passes silver filters and is delivered to the ISS by the Russian Progress cargo spacecraft.

Drinking water is supplied in 22 liter barrels. The water obtained by processing urine and solid waste is used for technical needs. For example, water is needed for catalysts and for an oxygen generating system. Relatively speaking, cosmonauts "breathe urine" rather than drink it.

At the beginning of 2010, the media reported that due to a breakdown in the water regeneration system on the ISS, the American astronauts are running out of drinking water. Vladimir Soloviev, ISS Russian Segment Flight Leader, told reporters that the ISS crew never drank water obtained by regeneration from urine. Therefore, the breakdown of the American urine processing system, which really was at that time, did not affect the amount drinking water... It is noteworthy that the American system failed twice for the same reason, and only the second time was it possible to establish the true cause of the problem. It turned out that due to the influence of space conditions, calcium in the urine of astronauts greatly increases. Filters for processing urine, developed on Earth, were not designed for such a biochemical composition of urine, and therefore quickly fell into disrepair.

Oxygen production from water

Soviet and then Russian scientists set the pace in the production of oxygen from water. And if in the issue of water regeneration our American colleagues have slightly surpassed the Russian scientists, then in the issue of oxygen production, ours confidently hold the palm. Even today, 20-30% of the processed water from the US sector of the ISS goes to the Russian oxygen production apparatus. The regeneration of water in space is closely related to the regeneration of oxygen.

The first apparatuses for the production of oxygen from water were installed on the Salyut and Mir apparatuses. The production process is as simple as possible - special devices condense moisture from the air, and then, by electrolysis, oxygen is produced from this water. Electrolysis - passing a current through water - is a well-established scheme that reliably supplies oxygen to astronauts.

Today, another source of water has been added to the condensed moisture - recycled urine and solid waste, which make it possible to obtain industrial water. Process water from the American ECLSS apparatus is supplied to the Russian system and the American OGS (Oxygen Generation System), where it is then "processed" into oxygen.

Scientists are struggling to solve the problem - a 100% closed cycle to provide the astronauts with water and oxygen. One of the most promising developments is the production of water from carbon dioxide. This gas is a product of human respiration, and at present this “product” of the vital activity of astronauts is practically not used.

French chemist Paul Sabottier discovered an amazing effect due to which water and methane can be obtained from the reaction of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The current process of oxygen production on the ISS is associated with the release of hydrogen, but it is simply thrown out into outer space, since it is not used for it. If scientists manage to establish an effective system for processing carbon dioxide, then it will be possible to achieve almost 100% of the closed system, and find an effective use of hydrogen.

The Bosch reaction is no less promising in matters of obtaining water and oxygen, but this reaction requires extremely high temperatures, so many experts see more prospects for the Sabotier process.

Scientists managed to find out that the water content in our Galaxy is much higher than previously thought.

New measurements showed that water ranks third among the most common molecules in the universe, which in turn made it possible for astronomers to calculate the content of elements in previously unattainable and areas of formation of new planetary systems.

In the colder parts of our Galaxy, the water content in space was first measured using the Infrared Space Observatory, by Spanish and Italian astronomers. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that it is in these regions that stars of the type similar to the Sun are formed, and some of them form real systems with several planets. The average temperature of these areas is only ten degrees above absolute zero (263 degrees Celsius). Such areas are called cold clouds, because they are not massive stars, and therefore, there is no powerful source of heat. There are over a million such clouds in the galaxy.

Scientists also managed to determine how much water is in the form of gas and what is in the form of ice. This information is extremely important for studying the formation of planetary systems, because ice and water vapor are found in gas planets, in the atmospheres of planets and

In the temperature conditions of cold clouds, water vapor is extremely difficult to detect, because they emit virtually no radiation and cannot be detected by the current generation of telescopes. In addition to that water in space cannot exist in liquid form due to low temperature and high pressure. Therefore, until now, only ice could be found in space. However, astronomers know that water vapor is also present in cold clouds, albeit in relatively small quantities. In order to correctly assess the water content in such places, it is necessary to measure the water content in the form of steam.

To measure the amount of water vapor in cold clouds, the scientists decided to use the following strategy. If we take into account the fact that light passing through water vapor should leave a kind of "imprint" on the entire light flux, or rather, the emission spectra bring with them absorption bands. This is how scientists were able to detect vapor in the water in these clouds, and at the same time the exact water content.

As it turned out, there is practically the same amount of water in cold clouds as in places of active star formation. Most important of all this information, after carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen, water is the most abundant molecule. For example, the water content in one of the cold clouds weighing a thousand Suns, the amount of water in the form of steam and ice corresponds to a thousand masses of Jupiter.

Also, scientists have determined that water in space exists mainly in the form of ice (99 percent) settled in the form of condensation on cold dust particles, the remaining percentage is gas. Thanks to these results, it is possible to finally clarify the role of water in the formation of planets.

For astronauts, water in space, however, as well as on Earth, is the most important resource.

We all well know that a person can live without water for a very short time.

For example:

• At a temperature of 16 ° C / 23 ° C, no more than ten days;
• At 26 ° C, maximum nine days;
• At 29 ° C, up to seven days;
• At 36 ° C, up to three days.

But back to our astronauts.

Water norm per one astronaut

If the situation with food in orbit is generally clear - scientists are inventing more and more concentrates, which, with relatively small volumes and low weight, have a high calorie content, then the situation with water is more complicated. Water is heavy, it cannot be shrunk or dried out, so it takes up a relatively large amount of "payload" of the ship, and this is a very important factor for space travel.

According to the "Russian space standards", one cosmonaut per day requires approximately 500/600 grams of food (which is ~ 2500/2700 kilocalories) and 2.2 liters of water. We see that the daily amount of water is much heavier and more in volume than a portion of food. The Americans' norms are even more "generous" and give the astronaut approximately 3.6 liters.

Technologies enabling efficient mining clean water in outer space :) or synthesizing it in orbit is not yet available, so the main part of it has to be delivered from Earth by special cargo spacecraft. All this determines the mode of strict water saving.

How water is used in space orbit

Water in space is needed not only for drinking, but also for other purposes:

• for the "activation" of dry food;
• for hygiene purposes;
• for the successful functioning of other spacecraft systems;

Water in Space - Economy Mode

With the aim of rational use of water in space orbit, special rules for its conservation have been developed. In space, clothes are not washed, but fresh kits are used. Hygienic needs are met with special wet wipes.

Of the 8,000 liters of fresh water per year required to support life on the space station, 80% of them can be reproduced directly at the station itself from human waste and other systems of the space station.

For example, American scientists have created a largely unique urine purification system. According to the developers of this system, urine and condensate purified using their device is practically no different from standard bottled water. These water treatment systems are capable of processing up to 6,000 liters per year.

Sources of water reproduction at orbital stations:

• condensate;
• urine of astronauts;
• waste from oxygen-hydrogen fuel cells - for technical needs.

Let's hope that on Earth, clean and tasty water will always be available to us and humanity in a global sense will never have to use the above methods and technologies to obtain and save it.

Perhaps one of the oldest and most widespread myths about space sounds like this: in the airless space of space, any person will explode without a special spacesuit. The logic is that since there is no pressure there, we would bloat and burst like a balloon that was inflated too much. You might be surprised to learn that humans are much more durable than balloons. We do not burst when an injection is given to us, nor do we burst in space - our bodies are too tough for a vacuum. Let's swell a little, it's a fact. But our bones, skin, and other organs are resilient enough to survive this unless someone actively tears them apart. In fact, some people have already experienced extremely low pressure conditions while working on space missions. In 1966, a man was testing a spacesuit and suddenly decompression to 36,500 meters. He passed out, but did not explode. Even survived and fully recovered.

People freeze

This misconception is often exploited. How many of you have not seen someone find themselves overboard a spaceship without a suit? It quickly freezes, and if not returned back, it turns into an icicle and floats away. In reality, the opposite is happening. You will not freeze if you get into space; on the contrary, you will overheat. The water above the heat source will heat up, rise, cool down and again over again. But in space there is nothing that could accept the heat of water, which means that cooling to freezing point is impossible. Your body will work by producing heat. True, by the time you become unbearably hot, you will already be dead.

The blood boils

This myth has nothing to do with the fact that your body will overheat if you find yourself in an airless space. Instead, it is directly related to the fact that any liquid has a direct relationship with pressure. environment... The higher the pressure, the higher the boiling point, and vice versa. Because it is easier for liquids to convert to gas. People with logic can guess that in space, where there is no pressure at all, liquid will boil, and blood is also liquid. The Armstrong Line runs where the atmospheric pressure is so low that the liquid will boil when room temperature... The problem is, if liquid boils in space, blood won't. Other liquids, such as saliva, will boil in your mouth. The man who was decompressed at 36,500 meters said that saliva "boiled" his tongue. Boiling this will be more like blow drying. However, blood, unlike saliva, is in a closed system, and your veins will keep it liquid under pressure. Even if you are in a complete vacuum, the fact that the blood is trapped in the system means that it will not turn into gas and escape.

The sun is where space exploration begins. This is a large ball of fire around which all the planets revolve, which is far enough away, but warms us and does not burn us. Considering that we could not exist without sunlight and heat, it can be considered surprising that there is a big misconception about the sun: that it is burning. If you've ever burned yourself with a flame, congratulations, you got more fire than the sun could give you. In reality, the Sun is a large ball of gas that emits light and heat energy during nuclear fusion, when two hydrogen atoms form a helium atom. The sun gives light and warmth, but does not give ordinary fire at all. It's just a big and warm light.

Black holes are funnels

There is another common misconception that can be attributed to the depiction of black holes in movies and cartoons. They are, of course, "invisible" at their core, but to audiences like you and me they are portrayed as sinister whirlpools of fate. They are depicted as two-dimensional funnels with an outlet on one side only. In reality, a black hole is a sphere. It doesn't have one side to suck you in, rather it looks like a planet with giant gravity. If you get too close to it from either side, then you will be swallowed up.

Re-entering the atmosphere

We all saw how spaceships re-enter the Earth's atmosphere (the so-called re-entering). This is a serious test for the ship; as a rule, its surface is very hot. Many of us think that this is due to friction between the ship and the atmosphere, and this explanation makes sense: as if the ship was surrounded by nothing, and suddenly it starts rubbing against the atmosphere at a gigantic speed. Of course, everything will heat up. Well, the truth is that less than a percent of the heat is removed to friction during reentry. The main reason for heating is compression, or contraction. As the ship rushes back to Earth, the air it passes through contracts and surrounds the ship. This is called a bow shock. The air that hits the ship's head pushes it. The speed of what is happening causes the air to heat up with no time for decompression or cooling. Although some of the heat is absorbed by the heat shield, it is the air around the apparatus that creates the beautiful images of re-entry into the atmosphere.

Comet tails

Imagine a comet for a second. You will most likely imagine a piece of ice rushing through space with a tail of light or fire behind. It may come as a surprise to you that the direction of the comet's tail has nothing to do with the direction in which the comet is moving. The point is that the tail of a comet is not the result of friction or destruction of the body. The solar wind heats up the comet and melts the ice, so ice and sand particles fly in the opposite direction to the wind. Therefore, the comet's tail will not necessarily follow it as a train, but it will always be directed away from the sun.

After Pluto's demotion in service, Mercury became the smallest planet. It is also the planet closest to the Sun, so it would be natural to assume that this is the hottest planet in our system. In short, Mercury is a damn cold planet. First, at the hottest point in Mercury, the temperature is 427 degrees Celsius. Even if this temperature persisted throughout the planet, Mercury would still be colder than Venus (460 degrees). The reason Venus, which is almost 50 million kilometers farther from the Sun than Mercury, is warmer lies in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide. Mercury cannot boast of anything.

Another reason has to do with its orbit and rotation. Mercury makes a complete revolution around the Sun in 88 Earth days, and a complete revolution around its axis - in 58 Earth days. Night on the planet lasts 58 days, which gives enough time for temperatures to drop to -173 degrees Celsius.

Probes

Everyone knows that the Curiosity rover is currently engaged in an important research work on Mars. But people have forgotten about many of the other probes that we have sent out over the years. The Opportunity rover landed on Mars in 2003 with the goal of carrying out a 90-day mission. After 10 years, it is still working. Many people think that we have never sent probes to planets other than Mars. Yes, we sent many satellites into orbit, but put something on another planet? Between 1970 and 1984, the USSR successfully landed eight probes on the surface of Venus. True, they all burned down, thanks to the unfriendly atmosphere of the planet. The most resilient Venus rover lived for about two hours, much longer than expected.

If we go a little further into space, we will reach Jupiter. For rovers, Jupiter is an even more difficult target than Mars or Venus, as it is made up almost entirely of gas and cannot be driven. But this did not stop the scientists and they sent a probe there. In 1989, the Galileo spacecraft set out to study Jupiter and its moons, which it did for the next 14 years. He also dropped a probe on Jupiter, who sent information about the planet's composition. Although there is another ship on the way to Jupiter, the very first information is invaluable, since at that time the Galileo probe was the only probe that plunged into Jupiter's atmosphere.

Weightlessness

This myth seems so obvious that many people do not want to convince themselves in any way. Satellites, spacecraft, astronauts and more do not experience weightlessness. True weightlessness, or microgravity, does not exist and no one has ever experienced it. Most people are impressed: how can it be that astronauts and ships float, because they are far from the Earth and do not experience the effect of its gravitational attraction. In fact, it is gravity that allows them to float. During a flyby of the Earth or any other celestial body with significant gravity, the object falls. But since the Earth is constantly moving, these objects do not crash into it.

Earth's gravity tries to drag the ship to its surface, but the movement continues, so the object continues to fall. It is this eternal fall that leads to the illusion of weightlessness. Astronauts inside the ship also fall, but it seems as if they are floating. The same condition can be experienced in a falling elevator or an airplane. And you can experience in an airplane falling freely at an altitude of 9000 meters.