Why isn't water on the ISS dangerous?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Zarhult
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Iss Water
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety of handling water on the International Space Station (ISS) and the potential risks it poses to electrical systems. Participants explore the implications of water's behavior in microgravity, particularly regarding short circuits and the effectiveness of safety measures in place.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern about the risk of water short-circuiting electrical systems on the ISS, questioning why astronauts do not need to be more cautious.
  • Others note that astronauts are indeed careful when handling water, suggesting that most of it remains contained and does not escape into the environment.
  • A participant raises the idea that the highly pure nature of the water might mitigate risks associated with tiny droplets, questioning if these droplets pose any danger.
  • Another contribution suggests that the small size of water droplets may allow them to be quickly captured by the ISS's venting system, which operates continuously.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that astronauts exercise caution when handling water, but there is uncertainty regarding the extent of risk posed by small droplets and the effectiveness of safety systems. Multiple viewpoints on the implications of water behavior in microgravity remain present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the potential risks associated with water handling, nor does it clarify the effectiveness of the venting system in capturing droplets. Assumptions about the purity of water and its effects on electrical systems are not fully explored.

Zarhult
Messages
33
Reaction score
2
Obviously, just about anywhere you go in the ISS, the walls are lined with electronics. Potentially a silly question, but why don't the astronauts need to be more careful when they handle water, considering that it could short circuit the electrical systems?

Example:
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
hi there
in future, please don't use the stargazing tag for non stargazing topics :smile:

Zarhult said:
Obviously, just about anywhere you go in the ISS, the walls are lined with electronics. Potentially a silly question, but why don't the astronauts need to be more careful when they handle water, considering that it could short circuit the electrical systems?

yes, they are very careful for that reason

did you notice, in the video, how most of the water stayed with the cloth and the astronauts hands ?

very little escaped
 
davenn said:
hi there
in future, please don't use the stargazing tag for non stargazing topics :smile:
yes, they are very careful for that reason

did you notice, in the video, how most of the water stayed with the cloth and the astronauts hands ?

very little escaped
Sorry, I wasn't sure if this counted as beginner since it's not about an actual astrophysical concept.

So if only a little bit flies off, there isn't a risk of it short circuiting anything? Could the highly pure nature of the water also help this?

For example, the numerous (but all tiny) droplets from this do not pose any risk?
 
Because of their size they might be quickly trapped by the venting system which is running non-stop.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Is Detecting Distant Asteroids/NEOs from the ISS Possible?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Changing the ISS's orbital inclination to match the Moon
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Is it dangerous if there is a mains fault on a potable water pipe?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
1K
High School Water Wicking between two containers
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
777
Writing: Input Wanted How to Handle a Fire Onboard a Generation Ship?
  • · Replies 74 ·
3
Replies
74
Views
7K
High School Why does increasing the height of a water tower increase water pressure?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
7K
High School How Does Earth's Water Compare to Potential Ocean and Desert Planets?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Misc. Problem generating spark under water for cavitation bubbles
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
Question about lifting water through a water pipe.
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Undergrad Question about lifting water through a water pipe
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K