CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA’s Artemis II astronauts have a reason to celebrate following a successful launch – their toilet is now functioning properly. The issue arose shortly after the crew reached orbit on Wednesday evening.

Toilet Troubles Resolved

The so-called lunar loo malfunctioned soon after the Artemis II crew entered orbit. Mission Control guided astronaut Christina Koch through a series of troubleshooting steps, and she successfully restored the toilet’s functionality overnight.

Unexpectedly Cold Conditions

Despite the toilet fix, the four astronauts are facing another challenge: unexpectedly cold temperatures within the Orion capsule. The interior temperature has dropped to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting the crew to retrieve warmer clothing from their luggage. Mission Control is working to address the temperature issue.

Preparing for Translunar Injection

The crew, consisting of three Americans and one Canadian, is on schedule to begin its journey to the moon on Thursday night. This will mark Mission Control’s first translunar injection since the Apollo program concluded in 1972.

Savoring the View

While preparing for the next phase of the mission, the astronauts are enjoying breathtaking views of Earth from tens of thousands of miles away. Astronaut Christina Koch reported being able to clearly see entire coastlines and even the South Pole.

Koch's Antarctic Experience

“It is just absolutely phenomenal,” Koch radioed to Mission Control. She previously spent a year at an Antarctic research station, giving her a unique perspective on Earth’s geography.

Mission Timeline and Goals

The Artemis II mission is slated to conclude with a Pacific splashdown on April 10. NASA views this test flight as a crucial step towards the broader Artemis program, with a planned moon landing involving two astronauts in 2028.

Toilet Design Considerations

The Orion capsule’s toilet, located in the floor with a privacy door and curtain, is based on an experimental model tested on the International Space Station in 2020. That earlier version saw limited use and has been out of service for years. The current system, known as the universal waste management system, utilizes air suction instead of water and gravity for waste removal, and is designed to better accommodate female astronauts.

Until the toilet was repaired, Koch and her crewmates had to rely on a bag and funnel system for urination. Any functional toilet is a significant improvement, recalling the Apollo missions where astronauts used bags for waste disposal.

These Apollo bags were later repurposed during the Space Shuttle program as a backup system when the shuttle toilet malfunctioned.