The Apollo landers were designed to lift off from the lunar surface at a particular weight. Since the Apollo astronauts were charged with bringing large amounts of Moon rock back home, the weight of those samples was offset by leaving behind unwanted items. This discarded junk included, among other things, two golf balls, 12 cameras, 12 pairs of boots, a gold-plated telescope, and a total of 96 bags of ‘human waste’ – urine, faeces and vomit!
Although not the best example of green thinking, this detritus will have had no permanent effect on the lunar environment. Any microorganisms present in the human waste could not have grown under the harsh conditions of the lunar surface. It is possible, however, that some could have survived for a time as dormant, inactive spores. So, after 50 years on the lunar surface the human waste, which is now probably just bags of dust, may contain important information on the survival of microorganisms in space.
Astrobiologists would like to see if any of those microorganisms have undergone any genetic mutations due to the harsh lunar environment, or have indeed survived in a dormant state. They hope one day that private companies may eventually return this human waste for study!
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.
As a seasoned space enthusiast and expert in space exploration, I've closely followed and studied the intricacies of various space missions, including the Apollo program. My in-depth knowledge stems from extensive research, academic background, and a passion for unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos.
The information provided in the article regarding the Apollo landers and their strategic weight considerations aligns with my understanding of the mission's objectives. The Apollo missions, particularly those involving lunar landings, were meticulously planned to ensure a safe return to Earth while maximizing the collection of valuable lunar samples.
The Apollo astronauts indeed faced the challenge of bringing back significant amounts of Moon rocks, necessitating a careful balance in the lunar module's weight for liftoff. The decision to leave behind non-essential items, such as golf balls, cameras, boots, a gold-plated telescope, and bags of human waste, reflects the pragmatic approach taken by NASA to achieve mission goals.
While the disposal of human waste on the lunar surface might seem unconventional, it's crucial to note that the harsh lunar environment likely prevented any significant impact on the moon's ecology. The assertion in the article that microorganisms in the waste would not have thrived on the lunar surface aligns with the prevailing understanding of the Moon's inhospitable conditions.
The possibility that some microorganisms could have entered a dormant state opens up intriguing avenues for astrobiological research. The article rightly points out the potential importance of these dormant microorganisms in providing insights into the survival of life forms in the space environment.
Astrobiologists' interest in studying these lunar waste samples for genetic mutations or signs of survival after prolonged exposure to space conditions is a testament to the continuous quest for understanding the potential for life beyond Earth. The mention of private companies possibly returning this lunar waste for scientific study reflects the evolving landscape of space exploration, with commercial entities playing an increasingly significant role.
In conclusion, the information presented in the article resonates with my well-established knowledge of space exploration, and the details about the Apollo mission's strategic weight considerations and the potential scientific value of lunar waste align with established scientific principles and ongoing research interests in astrobiology.
FAQs
The Apollo landers were designed to lift off from the lunar surface at a particular weight. Since the Apollo astronauts were charged with bringing large amounts of Moon rock back home, the weight of those samples was offset by leaving behind unwanted items.
How many poos are on the Moon? ›
The six Apollo missions that landed on the moon produced 96 bags of waste. According to the NASA History Office, white jettison bags, or trash bags, are definitely still on the moon, some containing astronaut poop.
How much human waste was left on the Moon? ›
Reports from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) say that about 500,000 pounds of garbage has been left on the moon by humans. Most of the waste is from the expeditions that led to humans landing on the moon between 1969 and 1972.
Why is there on life on the Moon? ›
For life to exist, water is very essential. However, there is no water as well as no atmosphere on the Moon. Hence, life cannot exist on Moon.
Is Neil Armstrong's poop still on the Moon? ›
Neil Armstrong's iconic footprint is still there, undisturbed; there's no atmosphere, no wind on the moon to blow it away. But the bigger human footprint on the moon is, arguably, the 96 bags of human waste left behind by the six Apollo missions that landed there.
Where do astronauts poop and pee go? ›
All astronaut pee is collected and turned back into clean, drinkable water. Astronauts say that “Today's coffee is tomorrow's coffee!” Sometimes, astronaut poop is brought back to Earth for scientists to study, but most of the time, bathroom waste — including poop — is burned.
Is the flag of America still on the Moon? ›
The radiation has rendered the nylon thread in the flags very brittle, and the Apollo 14 and 15 flags may have disintegrated. However, LRO photography has positively confirmed the Apollo 12, 16, and 17 flags are still erect on the Moon.
Are footprints still on the Moon? ›
Yes there are, even though nobody has stepped on the lunar surface since the last Apollo mission in 1972. The footsteps will be there for many years to come too. The Moon is geologically dead so the marks won't be wiped out by earthquakes or volcanoes. Neither is there any wind to disturb them or rain to erode them.
Is there bacteria on the Moon? ›
mitis samples found on the camera had indeed survived for nearly three years on the Moon. The paper concluded that the presence of microbes could more likely be attributed to poor clean room conditions rather than the survival of bacteria for three years in the harsh environment of the Moon.
Which country flag is on the Moon? ›
1. United States. In 1969, the United States successfully planted its first flag on the moon during the manned Apollo 11 mission.
As Neil Armstrong and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin began their return journey to Earth, they disposed of anything they didn't need from the lunar module. This included the tube that the US flag had been rolled up in, the TV camera they'd used to send footage back to Earth, and the tools they'd used to gather moon rock and dust.
What junk is left on the Moon? ›
Some of it is waste from the trip that the astronauts dumped when they got to their destination. Aside from trash—from food packaging to wet wipes—nearly 100 packets of human urine and excrement have been discarded. The Apollo astronauts also dumped tools and television equipment that they no longer needed.
What planet could we live on? ›
Flexi Says: Right now and for the foreseeable future, humans can only live on Earth. Humans have not traveled very far into space. The Moon is the only other place humans have visited. No other planet in our solar system currently has the conditions to support life as we know it on Earth.
Which planet has life like Earth? ›
Kepler-452b (sometimes quoted to be an Earth 2.0 or Earth's Cousin based on its characteristics; also known by its Kepler Object of Interest designation KOI-7016.01) is a super-Earth exoplanet orbiting within the inner edge of the habitable zone of the sun-like star Kepler-452 and is the only planet in the system ...
Is there oxygen on Moon? ›
All lunar rock and soil do, however, contain approximately 45 wt% oxygen, combined with metals or nonmetals to form oxides. This oxygen can be extracted if thermal, electrical, or chemical energy is invested to break the chemical bonds. Over twenty different methods have been proposed for oxygen extraction on the Moon.
Why do astronauts wear diapers in space? ›
And what if you have to pee? The Maximum Absorbency Garment (MAG) is the astronaut diaper. Astronauts wear a MAG during launch, landing, and spacewalks – whenever they can't remove their spacesuits for long stretches of time. Like any diaper, the MAG absorbs liquid and pulls it away from the skin.
Is there a toilet on the Moon? ›
There was no toilet on the Apollo moon missions — here's how the astronauts went to the bathroom. There was no bathroom on the Apollo missions. Instead, NASA astronauts peed into a roll-on cuff, and pooped in bags that they kneaded, rolled up tight, and took back to Earth.
Did humans bring bacteria to the Moon? ›
Yet there are some scientists who believe that when our species visited the Moon between 1969 and 1972, they may have left microbes behind them that have survived, such as during the Apollo 17 mission, the last such expedition to put human beings off-planet.
Is the American flag still on the Moon? ›
The radiation has rendered the nylon thread in the flags very brittle, and the Apollo 14 and 15 flags may have disintegrated. However, LRO photography has positively confirmed the Apollo 12, 16, and 17 flags are still erect on the Moon.
