Flight Test Results of the DTO Waste Collector Subsystem (WCS) for Shuttle Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO)

The Shuttle Orbiter Design Test Objective (DTO) test effort of the Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) Urinal Subassembly and the EDO Waste Collector Subsystem (WCS) has been conducted on STS–52 and STS–54 flights respectively. The objective of these DTO test flights was to prove out the new waste collection concepts and hardware including convenient and safe in–flight servicing, human factor enhancements, natural biodegradation, and hardware configuration. Actual DTO testing included real time zero gravity collection of liquid and solid human waste as well as special on–board set–ups for performance evaluation of the commode. The results of the hardware operation on these Orbiter flights along with post flight test evaluation are contained and discussed in this report. Any improvements resulting from this evaluation can be considered for use on the similar Space Station Waste Management Design.