Question 1: Explain why waste management is a critical concern for long-duration space missions.

Answer: Waste management is critical because waste accumulation can pose health risks, contaminate the environment, and hinder mission success due to limited storage and recycling capabilities in space.

Question 1: Describe how urine is processed and recycled into drinking water aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Answer: Urine is collected and passed through filtration and chemical treatment systems that remove contaminants, then distilled or purified to produce potable water for astronauts.

Question 2: Identify two key components of waste recycling systems used in space habitats.

Answer: Key components include filtration units and chemical treatment modules.

Question 1: A spacecraft recycles 120 litres of wastewater daily. If 108 litres of clean water are recovered after treatment, what is the percentage efficiency of the recycling process? Show your working and answer in percentage.

Answer: Efficiency = (Recovered water / Total wastewater) × 100 = (108 / 120) × 100 = 90%

Question 1: Outline the key variables that must be controlled when testing a new waste filtration system in a simulated space environment.

Answer: Variables include temperature, pressure, flow rate, contamination levels, and system integrity to ensure consistent and reliable results.

Question 2: List three safety precautions that must be observed when handling chemical waste in a space habitat.

Answer: Precautions include wearing protective gear, ensuring proper ventilation, and following chemical handling protocols to prevent leaks and exposure.

Question 1: A space station reports that their waste storage capacity is exceeded after 30 days due to limited recycling capabilities. If increasing the efficiency of their recycling system from 80% to 95% could reduce waste accumulation, estimate the number of additional days the station can operate without overflowing if the total waste generated per day is 50 kg.

Answer: At 80% efficiency, 10 kg of waste remains daily; at 95%, 2.5 kg remains. The reduction in waste per day is 7.5 kg, so the additional days = (30 days × 10 kg remaining) / 7.5 kg = 40 days.

Question 1: Discuss how the principles of waste minimisation and recycling in space missions could be applied to improve waste management on Earth.

Answer: Principles such as reducing waste generation, reusing materials, and recycling can be adopted in terrestrial industries to minimise environmental impact, promote sustainability, and conserve resources by applying closed-loop systems similar to those in space habitats.

Question 1: In your own words, explain the significance of efficient waste management for maintaining ecological balance both on Earth and in space habitats.

Answer: Efficient waste management prevents environmental contamination, conserves resources, and ensures the health and sustainability of ecosystems, which is vital for both terrestrial biodiversity and the viability of space habitats.