Where does astronaut poop go?

The stunning meteor shower  that streaks across the night sky may be caused by something more... organic. Next time you see a shooting star, know this: It could be astronaut poop .

Where does astronaut poop go?

Astronaut Scott Kelly’s body went through some strange changes while he spent a year on the International Space Station with Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko. The mission was designed to study the effects of long-duration spaceflight and lasted twice as long as the average ISS trip. There was another interesting aspect to the experiment: Scott Kelly would be the test subject in space, while his identical twin brother, astronaut Mark Kelly, would stay on Earth and act as a controller.

When the results from the Twins Study were released, NASA was not disappointed. Scott Kelly’s telomeres grew longer in space, but shortened when he returned to Earth, a potential sign of stress and aging. He had lost 7 percent of his body mass. Bodily fluids equivalent to a 2-liter soda bottle spilled from his lower body to his head and chest. The diversity of bacteria in his stool had plummeted.

During the 2015-2016 mission, NASA also shared some numbers that are sure to concern the hygiene-conscious among us. Kelly drank about 730 liters of water made from recycled urine and sweat, and he passed about 82kg of feces. Of course, astronaut poop can’t just be flushed down the drain, since there are no sewers in space. Instead, it’s dumped out of the station along with other ISS waste. Eventually, it’ll be incinerated by the intense heat upon re-entry, like a meteor.

And, like a meteor, that hot ball of poop will light up the sky like a shooting star. But, as NASA warns, " your poop is not a shooting star ."

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

How to regain access to hard drive, fix error of not being able to open hard drive

How to regain access to hard drive, fix error of not being able to open hard drive

In this article, we will guide you how to regain access to your hard drive when it fails. Let's follow along!

How to use dental floss

How to use dental floss

Dental floss is a common tool for cleaning teeth, however, not everyone knows how to use it properly. Below are instructions on how to use dental floss to clean teeth effectively.

How to gain muscle according to experts

How to gain muscle according to experts

Building muscle takes time and the right training, but its something anyone can do. Heres how to build muscle, according to experts.

The Best Diets for Heart Health

The Best Diets for Heart Health

In addition to regular exercise and not smoking, diet is one of the best ways to protect your heart. Here are the best diets for heart health.

How to cure insomnia for pregnant women in the last 3 months

How to cure insomnia for pregnant women in the last 3 months

The third trimester is often the most difficult time to sleep during pregnancy. Here are some ways to treat insomnia in the third trimester.

Scientifically Proven Ways to Automatically Burn Calories

Scientifically Proven Ways to Automatically Burn Calories

There are many ways to lose weight without changing anything in your diet. Here are some scientifically proven automatic weight loss or calorie-burning methods that anyone can use.

All about iOS 26

All about iOS 26

Apple has introduced iOS 26 – a major update with a brand new frosted glass design, smarter experiences, and improvements to familiar apps.

Yoga exercises to treat insomnia

Yoga exercises to treat insomnia

Yoga can provide many health benefits, including better sleep. Because yoga can be relaxing and restorative, its a great way to beat insomnia after a busy day.

What is the flower of the other shore? Meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore

What is the flower of the other shore? Meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore

The flower of the other shore is a unique flower, carrying many unique meanings. So what is the flower of the other shore, is the flower of the other shore real, what is the meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore?

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Craving for snacks but afraid of gaining weight? Dont worry, lets explore together many types of weight loss snacks that are high in fiber, low in calories without making you try to starve yourself.

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

Prioritizing a consistent sleep schedule and evening routine can help improve the quality of your sleep. Heres what you need to know to stop tossing and turning at night.

How to add a printer to Windows 10

How to add a printer to Windows 10

Adding a printer to Windows 10 is simple, although the process for wired devices will be different than for wireless devices.

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

Diet is important to our health. Yet most of our meals are lacking in these six important nutrients.

How to get beautiful nails quickly

How to get beautiful nails quickly

You want to have a beautiful, shiny, healthy nail quickly. The simple tips for beautiful nails below will be useful for you.

The best laptops for students in 2025

The best laptops for students in 2025

Students need a specific type of laptop for their studies. It should not only be powerful enough to perform well in their chosen major, but also compact and light enough to carry around all day.