Maximum Absorbency Garment

Drawing of a Maximum Absorbency Garment

A Maximum Absorbency Garment (MAG) is an adult-sized diaper with extra absorption material that NASA astronauts wear during liftoff, landing, and extra-vehicular activity (EVA) to absorb urine and feces.[1][2][3][4] It is worn by both male and female astronauts.[2] Astronauts can urinate into the MAG, and usually wait to defecate when they return to the spacecraft.[5] However, the MAG is rarely used for this purpose, since the astronauts use the facilities of the station before EVA and also time the consumption of the in-suit water.[2] Nonetheless, the garment provides peace of mind for the astronauts.[2]

The MAG was developed because astronauts cannot remove their space suits during long operations, such as spacewalks that usually last for several hours.[6][7] Generally, three MAGs were given during space shuttle missions, one for launch, reentry, and an extra for spacewalking or for a second reentry attempt.[5][8] Astronauts drink about 2 L (2.1 US qt) of salty water before reentry since less fluid is retained in zero G.[9] Without the extra fluids, the astronauts might faint in Earth's gravity, further highlighting the potential necessity of the MAGs.[9] It is worn underneath the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG).[7]

  1. ^ Michael Barratt; Sam L. Pool (2008). Principles of Clinical Medicine for Space Flight. Springer. p. 384. ISBN 978-0-387-98842-9. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Kenneth S. Thomas; Harold J. McMann (2006). US spacesuits. Birkhäuser. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-387-27919-0. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  3. ^ Kish, A.L.; Hummerick, M.; Roberts, M.S.; Garland, J.L.; Maxwell, S.; Mills, A.L. (2002). "Biostability and microbiological analysis of Shuttle crew refuse" (PDF). SAE Technical Paper #2002-01-2356. Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  4. ^ Mary Roach (August 1, 1998). "Two Men in a Tub". DISCOVER. Kalmbach Publishing Co. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  5. ^ a b Alexandra Gekas (February 19, 2007). "What's The Deal With The Diapers?". Newsweek. The Newsweek/Daily Beast Company LLC. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  6. ^ "Shuttle EMU End Items". Archived from the original on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  7. ^ a b "Factfile: Walking in space". BBC. 26 October 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  8. ^ Roy Rivenburg (February 9, 2007). "NASA diapers become topic No. 1". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Jeremy Manier (February 11, 2007). "In space, no one can hear you pee". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 11, 2011.