Translated by Sama Marwan,
Allah Almighty begins His statement in the Holy Quran:
“Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” (Al-Anbiya: 30).
This reflection on water, the essential element of life, reminds us that without water, life on Earth would cease to exist. In our modern era, we witness an abundance of water and ease of access, thanks to technologies developed by humans to improve water quality and facilitate its transportation. But the pressing question remains: How is water provided for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS)?
Challenges on the International Space Station
The ISS orbits approximately 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, making water transportation a significant challenge due to its high density and cost. Transporting one gallon of water to the station costs about $83,000, while each astronaut requires about 3 gallons daily. This logistical challenge has motivated scientists to find sustainable solutions for water provision aboard the station.
Scientific Solutions: Water Recycling
In 2006, NASA developed the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), an innovative system for recycling and purifying water aboard the ISS. By 2008, the system became operational, producing clean water and air through three main stages:
- Collection and Purification of Wastewater: Used water is collected and purified to remove contaminants.
- Additional Filtration: The water is passed through extra filters to eliminate organic and inorganic impurities.
- Elimination of Bacteria and Viruses: This step is performed using a Catalytic Oxidation Reactor.
The result is highly purified water, often surpassing the quality of water on Earth, used for drinking and personal hygiene on the station.
Providing Clean Air
In addition to water purification, the system generates oxygen through the electrolysis of water, using solar-generated electricity. The water is split into oxygen and hydrogen; the oxygen is released into the station’s atmosphere, while the hydrogen is combined with carbon dioxide to produce water and methane. The system also removes harmful gases, such as methane, ammonia, and acetone, which are released from the human body and scientific experiments.
Positive Impact on Earth
These space-based innovations have transcended their original purpose, with similar technologies now being applied on Earth to enhance life quality and reduce resource costs. These efforts demonstrate how space exploration can yield sustainable solutions that benefit humanity on our home planet.
