Artemis II Astronauts Celebrate as Malfunctioning Toilet Gets Fixed

NASA's moonbound crew overcomes plumbing issues to get the lunar loo working again after launch.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:54pm

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A high-contrast black-and-white photograph depicting abstract swirling patterns and geometric shapes, representing the intricate fluid dynamics and plumbing systems of a space toilet.The Artemis II mission's toilet troubles highlight the engineering complexities of human waste management in the harsh environment of deep space.Cape Canaveral Today

NASA's Artemis II astronauts faced an unexpected challenge shortly after launch when the toilet in their Orion capsule malfunctioned. Mission Control guided astronaut Christina Koch through troubleshooting steps, and she was able to get the toilet functioning again overnight. The crew is now on track for their lunar flyby mission, which will be the first translunar injection since the Apollo program's final flight in 1972.

Why it matters

A working toilet is essential for the health and comfort of the Artemis II crew during their multi-day mission to the Moon and back. The incident highlights the importance of reliable life support systems for deep space exploration, as well as the ongoing engineering challenges NASA faces in adapting space technology for new missions.

The details

The so-called 'lunar loo' malfunctioned as soon as the Artemis II crew reached orbit on Wednesday evening. Mission Control walked astronaut Christina Koch through some plumbing fixes, and she was finally able to get the toilet functioning again overnight. The crew is also dealing with a chilly cabin, with temperatures inside the Orion capsule at just 65°F (18°C), prompting them to dig into their suitcases for warmer clothes.

  • The Artemis II crew launched on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
  • The toilet issue occurred shortly after the crew reached orbit on Wednesday evening.
  • Mission Control helped astronaut Christina Koch resolve the toilet malfunction overnight.

The players

Christina Koch

An American astronaut who was part of the Artemis II crew and helped troubleshoot the malfunctioning toilet.

Victor Glover

The pilot of the Artemis II mission, who reported that the crew was 'ready to go' after the successful launch.

Artemis II

NASA's second uncrewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket, paving the way for future Artemis missions to the Moon.

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What they’re saying

“We are ready to go, and that was awesome.”

— Victor Glover, Pilot

“It is just absolutely phenomenal.”

— Christina Koch, Astronaut

What’s next

The Artemis II crew is on track to depart Earth orbit and begin their lunar flyby mission on Thursday night. The test flight is a crucial step towards NASA's goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2028, and the performance of the Orion spacecraft's systems, including the toilet, will inform future design improvements.

The takeaway

The successful troubleshooting of the Artemis II toilet issue demonstrates the resilience and problem-solving skills of the crew and mission control team. While unexpected technical challenges are common in spaceflight, this incident highlights the importance of reliable life support systems for the health and comfort of astronauts on deep space missions.