Sunita Williams becomes space janitor, cleans Space Station bathroom

Space Station Commander Sunita Williams conducted orbital plumbing in space.
Meanwhile, Nasa Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore has been busy on the International Space Station (ISS) conducting crucial fire safety experiments and maintaining spacesuits.
Wilmore replaced experiment samples inside the Combustion Integrated Rack, a facility designed to study how flames spread in microgravity. This research is vital for improving fire safety protocols in space and could have implications for fire prevention on Earth.
In addition to his scientific duties, Wilmore focused on spacesuit maintenance. He serviced a recently delivered spacesuit that arrived aboard the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft.

The process involved removing the securing hardware and installing camera and data cables on the suit, with assistance from Commander Sunita Williams.
Wilmore’s spacesuit work didn’t end there. He also performed standard maintenance on two spacesuits inside the Quest airlock, which included emptying and filling their water tanks.
This routine upkeep is essential for ensuring the spacesuits are ready for future extravehicular activities (EVAs) or spacewalks.
Meanwhile, Commander Williams dedicated much of her day to maintenance tasks in the Tranquility module. She focused on removing components from the waste and hygiene compartment, which serves as the space station’s bathroom.

Astronaut Sunita Williams in space. (Photo: Nasa)

Wilmore assisted Williams with this task during breaks from his science and spacesuit responsibilities.
These activities highlight the diverse range of tasks astronauts perform on the ISS, from conducting cutting-edge scientific experiments to maintaining essential life support systems.
The Combustion Integrated Rack, where Wilmore replaced experiment samples, is a key facility for studying combustion in microgravity. It allows researchers to investigate various aspects of fire behavior in space, including flame spread, soot production, and material flammability.
These studies contribute to the development of better fire prevention and suppression techniques for spacecraft and could also lead to improvements in terrestrial fire safety.