Main Toilet On ISS Craps Out

Main Toilet On ISS Craps Out 219

Posted by kdawson on Monday July 20, 2009 @01:44AM from the series-of-tubes dept.

The Narrative Fallacy writes "NASA has spent years getting ready for a crowd in space — adding additional sleeping quarters, learning how to recycle liquid waste into drinking water, and installing a second bathroom last year. But now the main toilet has broken down on the International Space Station while a record 13 astronauts are on board. For now Mission Control has advised the astronauts to hang an 'out of service' sign on the toilet as it may take days to repair. In the meantime, Endeavour's seven astronauts will be restricted to the shuttle bathroom. Last year a Russian cosmonaut complained that he was no longer allowed to use the US toilet because of billing and cost issues. Now the six space ISS residents will have to get in line to use the back-up toilet in the Russian part of the station. The pump separator on the malfunctioning toilet has apparently flooded, and ESA astronaut Frank De Winne is the guy tasked with putting his plumbing skills to work on short notice. 'We don't yet know the extent of the problem,' says flight director Brian Smith, adding that the toilet troubles were 'not going to be an issue' for now."

Main Toilet On ISS Craps Out

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Uh oh... (Score:5, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @01:47AM (#28753223)

Well, now we know what hit Jupiter...

I saw this somewhere... (Score:1, Funny)

by LeoPercepied ( 1564829 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @01:51AM (#28753237)

There are lots of jokes to be made here.... but didn't this already happened on "The big bang theory"?

oops (Score:5, Funny)

by margaret ( 79092 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @01:51AM (#28753239)

It's all Howard Wolowitz's fault.

Easy Solution (Score:3, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @01:53AM (#28753257)

When the Russians aren't looking, go take a dump on their side of the space station.

Shite Plot! (Score:5, Funny)

by dotslashdot ( 694478 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @01:54AM (#28753263)

I'm waiting for Hollywood to make a movie about sending Joe the Plumber into space to prevent a Russian chocolate rain of terror raining down on the United States from the ISS. Starring Bruce Willis as Joe the Plumber.

Re:second post! (Score:3, Funny)

by Tuna_Shooter ( 591794 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @02:04AM (#28753315) Homepage Journal

Shit happens.....

Do it outside (Score:5, Funny)

by MichaelSmith ( 789609 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @02:10AM (#28753341) Homepage Journal

Its a good thing their airlocks are still working. The problem is finding a bush to go behind...

Hate to be De Winne (Score:3, Funny)

by Comatose51 ( 687974 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @02:21AM (#28753385) Homepage

"ESA astronaut Frank De Winne is the guy tasked with putting his plumbing skills to work on short notice. 'We don't yet know the extent of the problem,' says flight director Brian Smith, adding that the toilet troubles were 'not going to be an issue' for now."
So you've just blasted into space on top of a giant stick of explosives. You're in one of the most unique places in the world with an awesome windows view but you have to spend your time fixing the toilet. That would really ruin his day.

I heard what the problem was... (Score:5, Funny)

by Joce640k ( 829181 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @02:31AM (#28753427) Homepage

Apparently the shit hit the fan a little bit too hard.

Re:oops (Score:5, Funny)

by lilo_booter ( 649045 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @02:47AM (#28753503)

Don't make jokes. It's a very important scientific breakthrough for two reasons. Number one....and number two.

Re:Hate to be De Winne (Score:4, Funny)

by Thanshin ( 1188877 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @02:53AM (#28753525)

"Captain De Winne. You're in charge of fixing the... plumbing situation."
"Oh come on! This is bullshit!"
"We prefer the term 'toilet trouble' around here."

The engineers are investigating... (Score:5, Funny)

by w0mprat ( 1317953 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @03:17AM (#28753615)

... but so far have nothing to go on.

Re:second post! (Score:5, Funny)

by Walt Dismal ( 534799 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @03:40AM (#28753689)

The very name 'back-up toilet' evokes bad images. Especially in space. You can't just call Space RotoRooter, you know, if the plumbing clogs. Hey wait. Is there such a thing as an astronaut-plumber specialty? And if so, does NASA issue a suit with a butt crack window? And when they finish unclogging, are they flushed with pride at the accomplishment? Space can be tough; I cannot recall Darth Vader ever going to the bathroom, which may explain his terrible temperament. I'd go over to the Dark Side too, if I'd been constipated for 6 whole movies. No wonder they called it the Death Star, if it lacked toilets.

Re:Basic toilet DIY (Score:2, Funny)

by nerdonamotorcycle ( 710980 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @04:17AM (#28753817)

More importantly, if they jiggle the handel, will it jiggle bach? After all, the toilet *is* baroquen.

Re:Uh oh... (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @04:59AM (#28753967)

Well, now we know what hit Jupiter...
Did it come from Uranus?

Re:fed up... (Score:2, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @05:01AM (#28753979)

No, relatively safe considering they're sitting on a couple of tonnes of highly explosive fuel, in what is essentially a bloody giant missile with passenger seats.

Re:fed up... (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @05:20AM (#28754073)

It's easy to criticize when none of us here are experts
This is Slasdot.
We're all experts.

Re:who makes these friggin things (Score:3, Funny)

by NotQuiteInsane ( 981960 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @06:01AM (#28754243) Homepage

Obligatory Armageddon quote:
American components, Russian components, all made in Taiwan! :)

Re:Uh oh... (Score:4, Funny)

by evan_arrrr! ( 1406417 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @06:08AM (#28754269)

No, Urectum.

Re:who makes these friggin things (Score:3, Funny)

by hey! ( 33014 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @08:02AM (#28754763) Homepage Journal

Ah yes, the Russians. A people renowned for their capacity to endure any hardship, their ability to get things done no matter how badly the system is broken... Let me tell you, there's lots of things you ought to admire about the Russians, sonny boy, but plumbing ain't one of 'em.

Comment removed (Score:3, Funny)

by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @08:34AM (#28754975)

Comment removed based on user account deletion

OOohh (Score:4, Funny)

by ledow ( 319597 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @08:37AM (#28755005) Homepage

OOohh, well.... (breaths in through teeth)... it's these space toilets. You just can't get the parts these days. I mean, I can probably have it for you for next month, how's that? Any sooner and it means a trip down to the warehouse to pick up bits. And, you know, my little van is going to struggle getting back to Earth and then back again, especially at this time of night.
Tell you what I'll do... Tell you what I'll do... I'll ring me mate. He's just doing a job over on the Mars landers. He'll have it for you in no time, no time at all.
Discount for cash?

Re:Hole in the wall (Score:3, Funny)

by Sponge Bath ( 413667 ) writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @09:23AM (#28755359)

You end up with frozen turds in the same orbit as the ISS.
Astronaut looks out the window: "Somebody likes corn."

Obligatory Family guy quote (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Monday July 20, 2009 @07:09PM (#28763423)

OHH!! It's EVERYWHERE!!!

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Main Toilet On ISS Craps Out 219

Main Toilet On ISS Craps Out More Login

Main Toilet On ISS Craps Out

Uh oh... (Score:5, Funny)

I saw this somewhere... (Score:1, Funny)

oops (Score:5, Funny)

Easy Solution (Score:3, Funny)

Shite Plot! (Score:5, Funny)

Re:second post! (Score:3, Funny)

Do it outside (Score:5, Funny)

Hate to be De Winne (Score:3, Funny)

I heard what the problem was... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:oops (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Hate to be De Winne (Score:4, Funny)

The engineers are investigating... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:second post! (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Basic toilet DIY (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Uh oh... (Score:1, Funny)

Re:fed up... (Score:2, Funny)

Re:fed up... (Score:1, Funny)

Re:who makes these friggin things (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Uh oh... (Score:4, Funny)

Re:who makes these friggin things (Score:3, Funny)

Comment removed (Score:3, Funny)

OOohh (Score:4, Funny)

Re:Hole in the wall (Score:3, Funny)

Obligatory Family guy quote (Score:1, Funny)

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