Toilet Troubles Plague Artemis II Moon Mission

Clogged toilet and broken computer issues arise during lunar flight

Apr. 5, 2026 at 5:35am

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The Artemis II mission to orbit the Moon has encountered several technical issues, including problems with the only toilet on the Orion spacecraft. Mission officials say the toilet is currently out of service due to icing, and the crew has been instructed to use backup urination devices. The mission has also faced a broken personal computer for one of the four astronauts, though the other three devices are functioning normally.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a critical step in NASA's plans to return humans to the Moon, so any technical problems that arise during the flight could jeopardize the mission's success and future Artemis program goals. Reliable life support systems, including functioning toilets, are essential for long-duration spaceflight.

The details

Shortly after Orion's launch, there were initial problems with a clogged toilet that the crew and mission control were able to resolve. However, a new issue has now arisen where the toilet is out of service due to icing in the sewage tank. The crew has been instructed to use backup folding urination devices as a temporary solution. In addition, one of the crew members' personal computers has broken, though the other three are working normally.

  • The Artemis II mission launched in April 2026.
  • Shortly after launch, the crew experienced an initial clogged toilet issue.
  • The current toilet icing problem has arisen during the lunar orbit phase of the mission.

The players

Judd Freeling

The head of the Artemis II mission.

Orion

The spacecraft carrying the four astronauts on the Artemis II mission to orbit the Moon.

NASA

The U.S. space agency overseeing the Artemis program to return humans to the lunar surface.

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What they’re saying

“We tried to let the air out of the sewage tank, which is connected to the toilet. We're having trouble with this because of a suspected blockage, which we think is probably due to ice.”

— Judd Freeling, Head of the Artemis II mission

What’s next

Mission control in Houston is working closely with the Artemis II crew to troubleshoot the toilet issue and restore full functionality. If the toilet cannot be repaired, the crew may need to rely on the backup urination devices for the remainder of the lunar orbit mission.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission has encountered several technical challenges, including problems with the spacecraft's only toilet, highlighting the critical importance of reliable life support systems for long-duration human spaceflight. NASA will need to address these issues to ensure the success of future Artemis missions and the agency's broader goals of returning astronauts to the Moon.