A security researcher has discovered that anyone with internet access can follow the toilet habits of astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). The researcher, known as Gi7w0rm, accidentally found two data feeds from the ISS related to urine. One feed shows the percentage fullness of the urine tank on board, while the other indicates the status of the processor unit that converts urine into potable water for the astronauts. These metrics, along with many others such as the number of laptops connected to the ISS network and the level of CO2 in the air, can be viewed online.
Gi7w0rm contacted the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) after discovering the data feeds. They were investigating a vulnerable government system when they stumbled upon the ISS data feed. Although there wasn’t an obvious risk, Gi7w0rm wanted to ensure there was no security leak. The feed is an intentional but obsolete tool that was originally linked to a now-defunct website called ISSlive. However, NASA has not commented on the situation yet.
The data available through the feeds is only a small subset of the thousands of telemetry channels used by the ISS. The space station has an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) that includes the Urine Processor Assembly, which separates waste into water and a brine solution. There is also a Brine Processor Assembly that extracts more water from the brine solution. However, details on this device are not included in the public feed.
In a statement, Jill Williamson, ECLSS water subsystems manager, clarified that the astronauts are not drinking urine, but rather clean, potable water that has been reclaimed, filtered, and purified.
Topics:
- International Space Station/
- data
