Live from Space: ISS Tank Watch

Real-time monitoring of the International Space Station's tank levels - urine, waste water, and clean water.

Urine Tank

43%

Urine is processed and recycled into clean drinking water. What can’t be reused is stored and later burned up during re-entry. NASA describes it as: Today’s coffee becomes tomorrow’s coffee.

Waste Tank

18%

Human waste is collected in sealed tanks and loaded into cargo ships. Later, it will released to burn up completely during re-entry.

Clean Water

75%

Clean Water Tank stores purified water produced from urine recycling and humidity recovery. It supplies astronauts with drinking water, food rehydration, and hygiene needs.