Let’s talk some background for the Salvage series: the science facts behind water reclamation in space.
Although the series isn’t meant to be hard science fiction — I’m sure serious pundits can poke holes in the technical aspects a parsec long — here are a few notes about existing technology onboard the International Space Station. 1
International Space Station
Water is lost on the ISS through several means:
The International Space Station possesses two water reclamation mechanisms, a Russian one, called Zvezda, processes water out of the air. This, in turn, is fed to a system that generates oxygen (Elektron). In emergencies, the water could be used for drinking.
The Water Recovery System, the American system, pulls water from the air and recycles wastewater, including urine. Improvements over time have resulting an efficiency around 93% and plans for 98% are in the works.2
It’s worth noting that extended space travel in a spacecraft will burden systems differently than stays onboard ISS.
In the case of Brio’s Hope, the long-haul transport of episode one of Salvage, even efficiencies of 90% or better will still result in water rationing.
It’s a long trip, with many colonists crammed in needing water. The ship is older and not equipped with top-of-the-line systems.
So, when water supplies run low, the ship must stop to replenish supplies. The water collected must be melted and purified, which takes time.
Also, note, in the Salvage universe, scooping hydrogen and oxygen atoms and making water molecules is not economically feasible for a ship like Brio’s Hope.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2020 Cindy Rae Johnson- “Water recovery systems,” ISS ECLSS, Wikipedia, last modified December, 2014, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISS_ECLSS.
- , “A Novel Water Recovery System for Use in Space,” AZO Materials, azom.com, https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=17704