Sultan Al Neyadi shows how precious water is used in space

Emirati astronaut reveals how water is used to circulate clean air on board the International Space Station

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi reveals the importance of water on the ISS. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi / Twitter

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has helped to satisfy a thirst for knowledge about how water is used in space.

Dr Al Neyadi, who has been on board the International Space Station for almost a month, showed how the "precious resource" is preserved in his latest social media update.

The history-making space traveller has offered the public regular glimpses of life aboard the floating science laboratory since embarking on his six-month mission on March 3.

He told how water is used to create the clean air that circulates through the space station.

"Water is a precious resource in space," Dr Al Neyadi wrote on Twitter in a message accompanied by pictures of him working on a water recycling tank.

"It is used to create clean air by separating oxygen from hydrogen, and it is also recycled to provide a continuous supply of clean water.

"In these photos, I'm working on the tank that recycles water, while wearing a PPE kit to prevent contamination.

"Ensuring a well-maintained life support system is a key task for astronauts, particularly during long-duration missions."

Using water in space

While water is relatively plentiful on Earth, in space every drop counts.

This means no such luxury as enjoying a long hot shower, while there isn't the capability to take huge volumes of water into space.

Water is heavy and storage space is limited on the ISS, so astronauts have to recycle almost everything, including urine and sweat.

Water does not flow in a zero-gravity environment, so astronauts shower and brush their teeth differently.

This means installing a shower, tap or sink on the ISS would be pointless because water would float away in the form of droplets.

Instead, Dr Al Neyadi and his crewmates use a wet towel containing body wash to clean themselves.

To wash their hair, they must apply shampoo without water and wipe it off with a dry towel.

To brush their teeth, they can squeeze small amounts of water through a straw to rinse and then swallow.

Sultan in space - in pictures

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has released more images of his historic space walk from the International Space Station on social media. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

On Friday, Dr Al Neyadi became the Arab world's first astronaut to make space walk when he joined US astronaut Steve Bowen on ISS maintenance. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

Dr Al Neyadi spent more than six hours outside the space station. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

Photos of Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's space walk show him completing what Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, described as a 'remarkable' accomplishment. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut showing water during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Nasa astronaut Frank Rubio gives UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi a haircut on board the International Space Station. Photo: MBRSC

Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space

Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space

Dr Sultan Al Neyadi shared a video showing Cairo from space. Image: Screengrab

Sultan Al Neyadi shows breathtaking views of the crescent moon from space.

Astronaut Koichi Wakata and Sultan Al Neyadi inside the International Space Station's Quest airlock. Nasa

Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Dr Al Neyadi carries out experiments at the Columbus laboratory. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi@Twitter

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi in the Japanese KIBO module of the ISS. Photo: MBRSC

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has shared his first selfies taken from inside the International Space Station. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter

The images were snapped in front of the cupola - an observatory on the station - that shows stunning views of the Earth. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter

This photo provided by NASA shows Emerati astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi during an interview at the International Space Station on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The first Arab astronaut assigned to a long spaceflight is still adjusting to life off the planet, five days after rocketing to the International Space Station. (NASA via AP)

Sultan Al Neyadi’s, UAE Astronaut, speaking from ISS to UAE leaders. photo: Video screen grab / Nasa

In this image from NASA TV, the four astronauts including United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, third left gather, during the welcoming ceremony, on the International Space Station, Friday, March 3, 2023. A new crew from the United States, Russia and United Arab Emirates has arrived at the International Space Station. The new arrivals include United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, the first astronaut from the Arab world who will spend an extended time in space. Al-Neyadi is only the second person from the UAE to rocket into orbit. (NASA TV via AP)