QinetiQ’s space division has won a $1.5 million contract from the European Space Agency to develop a prototype unit for space water treatment.
The prototype will be built to pioneer a system for recycling urine and waste water for future space missions, QinetiQ said March 10.
Sanjay Razdan, managing director of new technologies at QinetiQ Plc, said the water treatment system is intended to help produce drinking water for astronauts.
QinetiQ will incorporate into the design various concepts such as micro-gravity, launch and component life expectancy in different conditions.
QinetiQ will collaborate with a consortium comprising of NTE, VITO and UGent on the project.