When astronauts first traveled to the Moon, they did so without something as basic as a proper toilet. During the Apollo missions, waste management relied on plastic bags and funnels—an uncomfortable and often unpleasant system that astronauts themselves described as “objectionable” and “distasteful.”

Now, more than 50 years later, NASA’s Artemis II mission is set to change that experience dramatically. The four astronauts onboard will have access to a modern and far more advanced bathroom system designed specifically for space travel.

Known as the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), this new space toilet represents a major leap forward. It includes features that make life in microgravity more manageable and dignified, such as stabilizing handles, a system capable of processing both urine and solid waste at the same time, and equipment designed to work effectively for both male and female astronauts. It even includes a small door, offering at least a sense of privacy inside the tight spacecraft.

The development of this system has taken more than a decade. Since 2015, engineers and scientists have worked to solve long-standing challenges while also preparing for future missions to the Moon and Mars. The UWMS builds on lessons learned from the Apollo era, the space shuttle program, and the International Space Station.

Early systems were notoriously difficult to use. Astronauts had to manually manage waste in zero gravity, sometimes dealing with leaks or floating debris inside the cabin—situations that highlighted just how critical and problematic waste management could be in space.

Later designs introduced vacuum-based systems, improving efficiency but still falling short in comfort, usability, and inclusivity. They often lacked flexibility for different users and could not handle multiple functions simultaneously.

The UWMS addresses these issues with a lighter, more compact, and more versatile design. Built using advanced materials and engineering, it can be adapted for different spacecraft, including the Orion capsule that will carry astronauts on Artemis II.

Tested aboard the International Space Station in recent years, the system has already demonstrated significant improvements. Its performance during the Artemis II mission will provide valuable insights that will help shape future long-duration space exploration.

As NASA prepares to return humans to the Moon—and eventually reach Mars—this seemingly small innovation plays a critical role. In space, even the most basic human needs must be carefully engineered, and getting them right can make all the difference for mission success.