"a device that rides in the butt-crack, for lack of a better term"

February 16, 2017 12:09 PM

NASA's Space Poop Challenge is over, and we have a winner. [NASA press release]
posted by Johnny Wallflower (18 comments total)

Gluteal fold.
posted by brevator at 12:15 PM on February 16, 2017 [1 favorite]

To get from the biological business end through the weenie airlock and into space, Cardon devised a second class of devices he called introducers.

Tee-hee "weenie airlock."
posted by grumpybear69 at 12:22 PM on February 16, 2017 [1 favorite]

Cardon’s two-part design hinged on a machine he called the perineal access port.

When asked how he's handling all the praise for his ingenuity, Cardon replied simply, "T'ain't a big deal."
posted by middleclasstool at 12:24 PM on February 16, 2017 [12 favorites]

Gluteal fold.

Pretty sure that's a breed of cat?
posted by Quindar Beep at 12:31 PM on February 16, 2017 [5 favorites]

I wish they had published diagrams or something! The devices are a little difficult to visualise.
posted by tobascodagama at 1:13 PM on February 16, 2017

Intergluteal cleft is the technical term, I think.

Wikipedia also sez: "Medical synonyms for the intergluteal cleft include gluteal cleft, natal cleft, anal cleft, clunial cleft, crena analis, crena ani, crena interglutealis, and rima ani."
posted by darkstar at 3:13 PM on February 16, 2017 [2 favorites]

This Business Insider article has a pretty detailed series of photos of Dr Cardon's prototypes.
posted by Jilder at 5:48 PM on February 16, 2017 [3 favorites]

Wow, those really are detailed. And it brings home just how ingenious Dr. Cardon's device is, too. Inflatable bedpan!

I could see this idea having utility for extreme conditions here on Earth like mountain climbing, Arctic expeditions, or deep-sea diving. Any situation where you need to do your business without exposing your bits and bobs to the elements, basically.
posted by tobascodagama at 5:55 PM on February 16, 2017

"[...] air flow system that pushed waste away from the astronaut and into a storage compartment within the suit. [...]"


If you extend that storage compartment throughout the entire suit the poop and pee could double as a thin layer of extra radiation shielding!!!
posted by Hairy Lobster at 6:27 PM on February 16, 2017 [1 favorite]

Good find, Jilder. Thanks!
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 6:47 PM on February 16, 2017

Yeah, with those pictures it really does help me appreciate how clever this invention is. Several clever inventions, in fact, rolled into one. Then shoved through a tube.
posted by traveler_ at 8:04 PM on February 16, 2017 [2 favorites]

Are we sure this isn't a beetle pretending to be a high-tech butt addition?
posted by The otter lady at 10:57 PM on February 16, 2017

Can we please talk about his "space underwear"? (Oh, sorry. From Jilder's link)
posted by Literaryhero at 1:22 AM on February 17, 2017

Do pooping sounds get transmitted over the Space Radio?
posted by grumpybear69 at 4:53 AM on February 17, 2017

What's wrong with space underwear?
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 4:59 AM on February 17, 2017

First the stillsuits, then the space ships to get us to Arrakis. Don't let me down NASA.
posted by stilgar at 8:20 AM on February 17, 2017 [1 favorite]

This wiki is a fun place to look if you wondered how feasible it would be on a spacewalk if you just dropped trou and let loose due to a potty emergency (provided you kept your helmet on and sealed). The answer seems to be 'it's possible, but make it quick.'
posted by FatherDagon at 9:59 AM on February 17, 2017 [1 favorite]

I can talk about the space underwear, Literaryhero. It looks a lot like cheesy strapless g-strings I used to sell back in my porn shilling days. I can only imagine they might have to undergo a bit more refinement and fitting - the adult shop ones are super uncomfortable.
posted by Jilder at 7:30 PM on February 18, 2017