What primary technology does the International Space Station use for waste removal?
Answer
A vacuum-based system relying on airflow
Since gravity does not assist the downward flow of waste in orbit, the International Space Station (ISS) relies on specialized engineering for waste management. The commode utilizes a powerful fan to generate airflow, creating a vacuum that actively sucks urine or solid waste away from the body and into designated holding tanks. This reliance on controlled airflow, rather than weight or passive drainage, is fundamental to containment and removal in the microgravity environment, contrasting completely with terrestrial toilet design.
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