Long-time inventor and astronomy enthusiast Hugh McCarroll has just been named as one of 15 finalists in a global competition designed by NASA to crowdsource ideas for how to collect human waste away from the body, hands-free, for fully suited astronauts for up to a six day period.
The Space Poop Challenge elicited almost 8,000 entries, and although Hamilton-based Hugh didn't win first prize, he says he was "over the moon" to make the final 15.
His idea is basically a pair of merino tights with a zipper that is mechanised, with a kind of mini-bidet that sprays water or baby oil to keep chaffing at bay, and a bag that collects waste that can also be absorbed by a type of material worn around the astronaut's legs.
