Main Toilet On ISS Craps Out 219
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."
Uh oh... (Score:5, Funny)
Well, now we know what hit Jupiter...
I saw this somewhere... (Score:1, Funny)
oops (Score:5, Funny)
It's all Howard Wolowitz's fault.
Easy Solution (Score:3, Funny)
Shite Plot! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:second post! (Score:3, Funny)
Shit happens.....
Do it outside (Score:5, Funny)
Hate to be De Winne (Score:3, Funny)
"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)
Apparently the shit hit the fan a little bit too hard.
Re:oops (Score:5, Funny)
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)
"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)
Re:second post! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Basic toilet DIY (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Uh oh... (Score:1, Funny)
Well, now we know what hit Jupiter...
Did it come from Uranus?
Re:fed up... (Score:2, Funny)
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)
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)
Obligatory Armageddon quote:
American components, Russian components, all made in Taiwan! :)
Re:Uh oh... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:who makes these friggin things (Score:3, Funny)
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)
OOohh (Score:4, Funny)
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)
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)
OHH!! It's EVERYWHERE!!!