NASA appears to have resolved problems with a new urine
recycling system on the International Space Station, bolstering
hopes it will be able to expand the research outpost's crew next
year, officials at the space agency said on Tuesday. Reusing
wastewater is essential for doubling the size of the crew living
aboard the station from three members to six, especially since
the space shuttles, which produce water as a by-product of their
electrical systems, are to be retired in two years. The device,
part of a $250 million new life-support system aboard the
station, shut down during three previous attempts to purify
urine. NASA wants the visiting shuttle Endeavour crew to bring
home processed samples for analysis before declaring the water
purification system suitable for use. Two rounds of
modifications to stabilise the device's centrifuge appear to
have worked, flight director Brian Smith said on Tuesday. It
completed a full five-hour run on Monday and was nearing
completion of a second full run early on Tuesd