ACEIZE Tracking the current state of Science and Technology

Robert Heinlein noted in several of his books that Americans loved their bathrooms. Not just toilets, but plumbing of all sorts has a special place in the American way of life. His books take this love to an obsessive extreme, with 'freshers' that can seat 10 people in a single shower.

It appears that Heinlein had his finger on the pulse of America. The International Space Station has a few toilets, but the American toilet is apparently a hotly contested item. At least one Russian cosmonaut, Gennady Padalka, has been denied the use of this luxurious micro-gravity crapper.

The separation of toilet use in space has it's roots in international conflict over the cost of the space station. Most notably, the Russians charge the US for flight time and cargo about the Soyuz.

I can sympathize with Padalka. When you have to go, you have to go. But, on the other hand. I have had roommates before. You don't want everyone in the world using your bathroom. Not only is your bathroom your sanctuary, but you are the one who has to clean it. Perhaps Padalka didn't offer to help with the cleaning?

My thoughts on sharing toilets aside, three cheers for Heinlein for correctly ascertaining that America would bring our love of advanced plumbing into the space age!