The $30 Million Toilet That Keeps Breaking on the Way to the Moon
Sixty years of space toilet engineering, a decade of development, and a $30 million contract - and the Artemis II crew still had to pee in bags on Day 1.
Launch Date
November 20, 1998
Launch Site
Launch Pad
Pad 0A
Launch Vehicle
Antares 230
NORAD ID
44426
International Designator
1998-067QL
Decay Date
3/14/2021
Name
SWIATOWID
Alternative Name
Swiatowid
Type
Status
Owner
SATRV
Country
Poland
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
0.2
Diameter
0.1
Span
0.2
Dry Mass
2
Launch Mass
2
Shape
Box
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Swiatowid
Purpose
Technology, earth observation
Mission
Technology, earth observation
Manufacturer
SATRV
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Cubesat 2U
Configuration
CubeSat (2U)
Motor
None
Equipment
Camera
Power System
deployable fixed solar arrays, solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Sixty years of space toilet engineering, a decade of development, and a $30 million contract - and the Artemis II crew still had to pee in bags on Day 1.
Today's highlights include defense sector investments, major military contracts with Rocket Lab, and a glimpse at new American Innovation dollar coins featuring space achievements.
ESA's Proba-3 spacecraft lost contact last month following on-orbit anomaly. Mission requires both satellites in precise formation for solar corona science. Recovery status uncertain.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth tours Rocket Lab for Arsenal of Freedom strategy. Space Force accelerates 2026 acquisitions including GPS and tactical comms. Rhea Space wins $1.9M optical nav contract.
Space Force shifts GPS III satellite launch from ULA's Vulcan to SpaceX Falcon 9 due to persistent solid rocket booster issues. Critical navigation asset reassignment signals operational consequences.
Focus on Varda's second mission launch, new U.S. Defense Department tool for satellite anomaly investigation, and a detailed Satellite Spotlight on CELESTIS 21/Varisat 1C.
SpaceX carried out a double-header Starlink launch from both coasts while milestones from Max Space and Lux Aeterna signal growth in the commercial space sector.
SpaceX cancels Texas land-swap deal amid growing Starship presence and launches 20 Starlink satellites using the 400th Falcon 9 rocket.