Endeavour’s task: A home makeover in space

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 10, 2008

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The international space station is about to get all the comforts of a modern, high-end, "green” home: a fancy recycling water filter, a new fridge, extra bedrooms, workout equipment and the essential half-bath.

Advertisement

Later this week, space shuttle Endeavour’s seven astronauts will carry up all the frills for space station living — and a larger household. Liftoff is set for Friday night.

It will be a home makeover in the extreme. Astronauts will be installing an extra toilet, more sleeping compartments with individual thermostats and laptop hookups, and an exercise machine capable of some 30 routines.

They also will be delivering the essentials of NASA’s first attempt at a closed-loop environmental system in orbit, where almost everything gets recycled. Already, the power on the space station is generated from solar panels. Most significant is the water recovery system — it will turn urine and condensation into fresh drinking water.


Toolbar sponsored by: David Stanley Ford
Bookmark and Share

Related Topics: Culture and Lifestyle, Science and Technology, Technology, Health and Fitness, Visual Arts, Exercise and Fitness, House and Home, Energy Technology, Interior Design, Design, Alternative Energy Technology, Space Technology, Manned Space Flight, Working Out, Strength and Weight Training, Space Shuttles


Your thoughts!

Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.

Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on local crime or fatality stories.

Leave a comment

Log in below or sign up (it's free).