Dating to 1970, this silent NASA footage shows zero gravity flight tests of a toilet system for containing urine and fecal matter in space. The point of the test was to apparently demonstrate how an astronaut would sit on the toilet in space (using a strap or belt) and how the seal on the device would work (although, in these particular tests, no actual #1 or #2 occurred). These tests were conducted aboard a reduced gravity aircraft, probably NASA’s Convair C-131 Samaritan or possibly a KC-135 aircraft (this type of aircraft appears visible at the top of frame at the start of the film at :16). In the footage, test subjects are in simulated weightless conditions. The primitive, canister-like toilet device shown must have been a proposed prototype, probably made by Republic Aircraft. It does not appear that it ever made it into space. During the Apollo missions, astronauts used a cuff / condom type system for urine collection and a bag that taped to the buttocks for fecal collection. It’s unknown why this particular device was not adopted, but most likely it has to do with its size and weight.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com