Maximum Absorbency Garment
{{Short description|Adult diaper used by NASA astronauts}}
File:MAG (Maximum Absorbency Garment).gif
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 book|author1=Michael Barratt|author2=Sam L. Pool|title=Principles of Clinical Medicine for Space Flight|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QYrH9P0iPb8C&pg=PA384|accessdate=11 June 2011|year=2008|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-0-387-98842-9|page=384}}{{cite book|author1=Kenneth S. Thomas|author2=Harold J. McMann|title=US spacesuits|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cdO2-4szcdgC&pg=PR29|accessdate=11 June 2011|year=2006|publisher=Birkhäuser|isbn=978-0-387-27919-0|page=29}}{{cite journal |author1=Kish, A.L. |author2=Hummerick, M. |author3=Roberts, M.S. |author4=Garland, J.L. |author5=Maxwell, S. |author6=Mills, A.L. |year=2002 |title= Biostability and microbiological analysis of Shuttle crew refuse |journal=SAE Technical Paper #2002-01-2356 |publisher= Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. |url= http://www.evsc.virginia.edu/~alm7d/pubs/79-Kish_ICES_02.pdf |accessdate=11 June 2011 }}{{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.{{cite news |title=What's The Deal With The Diapers?|author=Alexandra Gekas|url=http://www.newsweek.com/2007/02/18/what-s-the-deal-with-the-diapers.html|newspaper=Newsweek |publisher=The Newsweek/Daily Beast Company LLC|date=February 19, 2007 |accessdate=June 11, 2011}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://quest.nasa.gov/space/teachers/suited/5emu2.html |title=Shuttle EMU End Items |accessdate=11 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603062726/http://quest.nasa.gov/space/teachers/suited/5emu2.html |archivedate=3 June 2011 }}{{cite news | title=Factfile: Walking in space | publisher=BBC| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5120294.stm | date=26 October 2007|accessdate=11 June 2011}} Generally, three MAGs were given during space shuttle missions, one for launch, reentry, and an extra for spacewalking or for a second reentry attempt.{{cite news |title=NASA diapers become topic No. 1|author=Roy Rivenburg|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-spacediaper9feb10,0,2527297.story|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=February 9, 2007 |accessdate=June 11, 2011}} Astronauts drink about {{convert|2|L|USqt|1|abbr=on}} of salty water before reentry since less fluid is retained in zero G.{{cite news |title=In space, no one can hear you pee |author=Jeremy Manier |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/02/11/in-space-no-one-can-hear-you-pee/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=February 11, 2007 |access-date=June 11, 2011}} 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
During the Apollo era, astronauts used urine and fecal containment systems worn under spandex trunks.{{cite book|author=Mary Roach |authorlink=Mary Roach |title=Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cg0ZR4rzzQoC&pg=PA181|accessdate=11 June 2011|date=2 August 2010|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|isbn=978-0-393-06847-4|page=181}} The fecal containment device (FCD) was a bag attached directly to the body with an adhesive seal,{{cite book|author=Martin J. Collins|title=After Sputnik: 50 years of the Space Age|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rZ53HRR5lUQC&pg=PA196|accessdate=11 June 2011|date=15 March 2007|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-06-089781-9|page=196}} 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.{{cite book|author=Gregory Vogt|title=Is There Life on Other Planets?: And Other Questions about Space|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y75DeIs4On0C&pg=PA8|accessdate=12 June 2011|date=1 March 2010|publisher=Lerner Publications|isbn=978-0-8225-9082-8|page=8}} 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.{{cite book|author=Jan W. Gooch|title=Biocompatible Polymeric Materials and Tourniquets for Wounds|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zIOE9FRMjd8C&pg=PR4|accessdate=11 June 2011|date=23 August 2010|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-4419-5583-8|page=35}} 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 {{convert|2|L|USqt|1|abbr=on}} 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
}} The MAG absorbs the liquid and pulls it away from the skin.
Media attention
These garments gained attention in February 2007, when astronaut Lisa Nowak drove {{convert|1450|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} to attack Air Force officer Colleen Shipman out of jealousy for her former lover.{{cite news |title=Did Astronaut Lisa Nowak, Love Triangle Attacker, Wear Diaper? |author=Eric M. Strauss |url=https://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/astronaut-love-triangle-attacker-lisa-nowak-wear-diaper/story?id=12932069 |publisher=ABC News Internet Ventures |date=February 17, 2011 |accessdate=June 11, 2011}} It was stated in a police report that Nowak said she used the diapers to avoid pit stops during her journey. However, Nowak denied these claims and testified that she did not wear these diapers during her trip.