Maximum Absorbency Garment

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Adult diaper used by NASA astronauts

title: "Maximum Absorbency Garment" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["space-suit-components", "undergarments", "diapers", "1988-introductions"] description: "Adult diaper used by NASA astronauts" topic_path: "general/space-suit-components" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_Absorbency_Garment" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Adult diaper used by NASA astronauts ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/MAG_(Maximum_Absorbency_Garment).gif" caption="Drawing of a Maximum Absorbency Garment"] ::

A Maximum Absorbency Garment (MAG) is an adult-sized diaper with extra absorption material that NASA astronauts wear during liftoff, landing, and extra-vehicular activity (EVA) to absorb urine and feces.{{cite news |title=Two Men in a Tub |author=Mary Roach |authorlink=Mary Roach |url=http://discovermagazine.com/1998/aug/26-twomeninatub1499 |newspaper=DISCOVER |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing Co.|date=August 1, 1998 |accessdate=June 11, 2011}} It is worn by both male and female astronauts. Astronauts can urinate into the MAG, and usually wait to defecate when they return to the spacecraft. However, the MAG is rarely used for this purpose, since the astronauts use the facilities of the station before EVA and also time the consumption of the in-suit water. Nonetheless, the garment provides peace of mind for the astronauts.

The MAG was developed because astronauts cannot remove their space suits during long operations, such as spacewalks that usually last for several hours. Generally, three MAGs were given during space shuttle missions, one for launch, reentry, and an extra for spacewalking or for a second reentry attempt. Astronauts drink about 2 L of salty water before reentry since less fluid is retained in zero G. Without the extra fluids, the astronauts might faint in Earth's gravity, further highlighting the potential necessity of the MAGs. It is worn underneath the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG).

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/DACT.gif" caption="Disposable Absorption Containment Trunk (DACT)"] ::

During the Apollo era, astronauts used urine and fecal containment systems worn under spandex trunks. The fecal containment device (FCD) was a bag attached directly to the body with an adhesive seal, and the urine collection device (UCD) had a condom-like sheath attached to a tube and pouch. Women joined the astronaut corps in 1978 and required devices with similar functions. However, the early attempts to design feminized versions of the male devices were unsuccessful. In the 1980s, NASA designed space diapers which were called Disposable Absorption Containment Trunks (DACTs). These addressed the women's needs since it was comfortable, manageable, and resistant to leaks. These diapers were first used in 1983, during the first Challenger mission.

Disposable underwear, first introduced in the 1960s as baby's diapers then in 1980 for adult incontinence, appealed to NASA as a more practical option. In 1988, the Maximum Absorbency Garment replaced the DACT for female astronauts. NASA created the name Maximum Absorbency Garment to avoid using trade names. Male astronauts then adopted the MAG as well. In the 1990s, NASA ordered 3,200 of the diapers of the brand name Absorbencies, manufactured by a company that has folded. In 2007, about a third of the supply remained.

Usage

The MAGs are pulled up like shorts. A powdery chemical absorbent called sodium polyacrylate is incorporated into the fabric of the garment. Sodium polyacrylate can absorb around 300 times its weight in distilled water. Assuming the astronaut urinates, the diaper would only need to be changed every eight to ten hours. The MAG can hold a maximum of 2 L of urine, blood, and/or feces.{{Cite journal | last1 = Jennings | first1 = R. | last2 = Baker | first2 = E. | title = Gynecological and reproductive issues for women in space: A review | journal = Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey | volume = 55 | issue = 2 | pages = 109–116 | year = 2000 | pmid = 10674254 | doi=10.1097/00006254-200002000-00025

Media attention

These garments gained attention in February 2007, when astronaut Lisa Nowak drove 1450 km to attack Air Force officer Colleen Shipman out of jealousy for her former lover. It was stated in a police report that Nowak said she used the diapers to avoid stops during her journey. However, Nowak denied these claims and testified that she did not wear these diapers during her trip.

References

References

  1. (2008). "Principles of Clinical Medicine for Space Flight". Springer.
  2. (2006). "US spacesuits". Birkhäuser.
  3. (2002). "Biostability and microbiological analysis of Shuttle crew refuse". Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc..
  4. Alexandra Gekas. (February 19, 2007). "What's The Deal With The Diapers?". The Newsweek/Daily Beast Company LLC.
  5. "Shuttle EMU End Items".
  6. (26 October 2007). "Factfile: Walking in space". BBC.
  7. Roy Rivenburg. (February 9, 2007). "NASA diapers become topic No. 1". Los Angeles Times.
  8. Jeremy Manier. (February 11, 2007). "In space, no one can hear you pee". Chicago Tribune.
  9. Mary Roach. (2 August 2010). "Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void". W. W. Norton & Company.
  10. Martin J. Collins. (15 March 2007). "After Sputnik: 50 years of the Space Age". HarperCollins.
  11. Gregory Vogt. (1 March 2010). "Is There Life on Other Planets?: And Other Questions about Space". Lerner Publications.
  12. Jan W. Gooch. (23 August 2010). "Biocompatible Polymeric Materials and Tourniquets for Wounds". Springer.
  13. Eric M. Strauss. (February 17, 2011). "Did Astronaut Lisa Nowak, Love Triangle Attacker, Wear Diaper?". ABC News Internet Ventures.

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space-suit-componentsundergarmentsdiapers1988-introductions