Toilet Troubles Plague Artemis II Lunar Mission

Astronauts prepare for historic moon flyby as space toilet malfunctions

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:42pm

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The Artemis II astronauts, now more than halfway to the moon, are preparing for their historic lunar flyby mission. However, the crew is facing an ongoing issue with their spacecraft's toilet, which has been malfunctioning since launch. Mission Control has instructed the astronauts to use backup urine collection bags as engineers work to resolve the problem.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is the first crewed lunar flight since the Apollo program ended in 1972. The successful completion of this mission is a critical step towards NASA's goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the moon. However, the toilet troubles highlight the technical challenges of long-duration space travel and the importance of reliable life support systems.

The details

The Artemis II spacecraft, carrying three Americans and one Canadian astronaut, is set to reach the moon on Monday. The crew will photograph the lunar far side as they fly around the moon, setting a new distance record for human spaceflight. However, the spacecraft's toilet has been malfunctioning since launch, with issues such as ice blocking the urine flushing system. Mission Control has instructed the astronauts to use backup urine collection bags until the problem can be resolved. Engineers suspect the issue may be caused by a buildup of ice in the toilet's plumbing.

  • Artemis II launched on Wednesday, April 3, 2026.
  • The astronauts are set to reach the moon on Monday, April 8, 2026.
  • The mission is scheduled to end with a Pacific splashdown on April 10, 2026.

The players

Victor Glover

Pilot of the Artemis II mission and the first Black astronaut to travel to the moon.

Jeremy Hansen

Canadian astronaut on the Artemis II mission, the first non-U.S. citizen to fly to the moon.

Christina Koch

Artemis II astronaut, the first female astronaut to travel to the moon.

Reid Wiseman

Artemis II astronaut, part of the first lunar crew since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

Debbie Korth

NASA's Orion program deputy manager, overseeing the Artemis II mission.

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What they’re saying

“The Earth is quite small, and the moon is definitely getting bigger.”

— Victor Glover, Pilot, Artemis II mission

“Space toilets and bathrooms are something everybody can really understand .. it's always a challenge.”

— Debbie Korth, NASA's Orion program deputy manager

“Today he is making history for Canada. As we watch him taking this bold step into the unknown, let his journey remind us that Canada's future is written by those who dare to reach for more.”

— Lisa Campbell, Canadian Space Agency President

“I have already witnessed 'extraordinary' views from NASA's Orion capsule.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Astronaut, Artemis II mission

What’s next

Engineers suspect ice may be blocking the line that is preventing urine from completely flushing overboard. The toilet is still open for No. 2 business. Mission Control will continue to work with the Artemis II crew to resolve the toilet issue before their return to Earth.

The takeaway

The toilet troubles on the Artemis II mission highlight the technical challenges of long-duration space travel and the importance of reliable life support systems. Despite this setback, the successful completion of this historic lunar flyby mission is a critical step towards NASA's goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the moon.