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An improved human waste collection system was developed in 1985 using a piston and cylinder which collects, compacts, and stores in replaceable volumes human waste including cleaning material. Disposable pads on the piston face seal and clean the cylinder and occlusive air valves. Airflow provides waste entrainment and temporary retention. A series of prototypes including an automatic one-button operation unit was built and ground tested. A manually operated prototype with a number of test features including variable airflow was flown and evaluated on Shuttle flight STS-35. Performance was nominal. An airflow of 45 CFM (1.27 m3 min-1) was found to be adequate. Mean stowage volume of waste and hygienic material per use was 18.7 in3 (306cm3).

Human locomotion is an essential capability for normal activity on Earth. It requires the largest muscle and bone mass in the body and this muscle activity normally determines cardio-respiratory capacity. Active individuals, including the astronaut population, usually take > 104 steps day - 1 at rates of 1 - 3 steps sec - 1 with foot ground forces of 1 - 1.4 body weight (B.W.) walking and 2-3 + B W. running, producing up to 300W equivalent work. Forces and energy levels are a function of mode (walk or run), B.W, velocity, and surface grade and consistency. Overground and treadmill (T.M.) locomotion are equivalent on Earth. In weightlessness, locomotion is impossible and, without exercise, there will be a rapid loss of muscle, bone, and cardio-respiratory capacity such that, after several months' spaceflight without exercise, most individuals will be unable to walk from strength loss.