Astronauts on board the International Space Station have attained a 98% water restoration rate that recycles the astronauts’ urine and sweat into drinkable water.

This is a significant development for potential interplanetary missions and moving beyond the Earth’s orbit.

The 98% milestone is a significant development for future space missions that will see astronauts spend more time in space during long stays on the lunar surface and crewed missions to Mars.

The breakthrough was made possible using subsystems of the Environment Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS), which is aimed at recycling consumables such as food, air and water for further use in space.