See astronaut trash whiz through space before its fiery end

Four astronauts on the International Space Station can create over 2.5 tons of trash a year, but how to get rid of it has been a challenge.

The astronauts tested a new technology that could be used to dispose of space waste. The crew used an airlock system for the first time to dispose of 172 pounds of junk.

The technology takes trash out of a bag and puts it in a container that burns up in the atmosphere. NASA officials said that the method doesn't contribute to the problem.

Tweet may have been deleted

(opens in a new tab)

The status quo for collecting the astronauts' trash is to keep it onboard until a commercial spaceship can pick it up. The astronauts put trash in a space craft. NASA says that if the entire spaceship lands on Earth, it will burn up.

NASA's associate administrator for space operations said the demo shows the new system is a good way to clean up.

Tweet may have been deleted

(opens in a new tab)

The crew of the International Space Station could fill the container with up to 600 pounds of trash. The airlock is empty after the waste bag is freed.

Safety issues for astronauts are presented when space is taken up by trash. Some of the waste is biologically related.

The United States space agency has been looking for alternatives to manage trash because the disposal method won't be an option for long missions to the moon and eventually Mars.

Tweet may have been deleted

(opens in a new tab)

In a company news release, Cooper Read said that waste collection in space has been a challenge for a long time. With more people living and working in space, this is a critical function just like it is for everyone at home.

The demo load included foam, packing materials, cargo transfer bags, dirty astronauts clothes, hygiene products, and office supply waste.