SCIENTISTS ARE SCRAMBLING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO POOP ON THE MOON

Matt Case - June 26th, 2024 - 7:35am PDT 

Scientists Race to Solve Lunar Sanitation Challenges

As NASA prepares for its ambitious return to the moon by 2026, a pressing yet often overlooked challenge is emerging: how to manage astronaut waste, including human feces. The dilemma facing space agencies worldwide involves deciding whether to bury the waste on the lunar surface or bring it back to Earth for disposal.

This concern isn't just practical but also ethical, given the potential biological implications. Microorganisms present in human waste could, theoretically, evolve in the harsh lunar environment, leading to unforeseen consequences. Historically, lunar missions have not shied away from leaving traces behind; during NASA's Apollo missions, astronauts left a total of 96 bags of human waste on the moon.

The issue underscores a broader principle that seems to follow humanity into space: our explorations carry not only aspirations and scientific equipment but also our earthly messes. As space agencies plot their lunar futures, the question of how to responsibly handle extraterrestrial waste disposal remains a significant and unresolved quandary.