Separation Technology of On-Orbit Liquid and Excrement (STOOLE)

The Paragon Space Development (Paragon) Separation Technology of On-Orbit Liquid and Excrement (STOOLE) extends our successful, NASA and Boeing Brine Processor Assembly (BPA), and Humidity Control System (HCS) to create a feces and mixed waste water recovery system. This technology uses low grade heat and low-power air motivation and has met NASA’s goal for 98% water recovery from liquid waste. While NASA has stated the system does not need to purify the water, STOOLE uses chemically selective membranes to limit concern for undesirable constituents in the product vapor, allowing it to be condensed and processed locally or by the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). STOOLE replaces the expendable TKO canister with a reusable system with functional elements isolated from the solid waste to ensure long duration, low cost operation. The STOOLE product is anticipated to be very low in free water and our Phase I study includes an investigation into solid product upcycling though torridification, use as 3D printing filler, or filler in a fused polymer product.

STOOLE works from 0g to >1g as direct replacement for the TKO canister and extracts pure water vapor from solid waste. STOOLE applies to any NASA crewed system including ISS, Lunar Gateway, future orbital, Lunar and Martian systems, and possible as an upgrade to Orion or attached habitat systems for longer duration transits. STOOLE may also be applicable to other NASA facilities such as the NASA Aquarius Reef Base.

STOOLE is a highly scalable option for commercial, civil, and defense operations in austere environments. STOOLE applies anywhere the reuse of water and human waste containment are important including 1,000s of vessels (cruise ships, Littoral Combat Ships, Submarines), DoD facilities, disaster relief systems, oil-rigs, and remote mining, oil & gas, and construction projects.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.