Artemis II astronauts offered year’s supply of toilet paper after inflight toilet troubles
Apr 10, 2026
(FOX 5/KUSI) — A well-known toilet paper company is offering a lighthearted gesture to the four astronauts aboard NASA's Artemis II mission after widely reported issues with the Orion spacecraft's bathroom system.
Charmin announced on its Instagram account Thursday that the Artemis II crew will r
eceive a year's supply of its toilet paper when they return to Earth, jokingly showing support for what the company described as "unexpected turbulence in the bathroom department."
The post comes after multiple reports of malfunctions involving the Orion spacecraft's onboard toilet system shortly after launch. NASA previously confirmed the crew experienced issues with the urine collection component, which required troubleshooting in orbit.
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Debbie Korth, NASA’s Orion program deputy manager, told the Associated Press that the astronauts also had reported a smell coming from the bathroom, though officials said it did not pose a major safety concern.
Despite the technical hiccups, Artemis II remains a milestone mission — marking the first crewed journey beyond low Earth orbit in more than 50 years.
The four astronauts are expected to return to Earth with a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the Southern California coast on Friday, April 10, with arrival slated for 5:07 p.m. PST.
Charmin's offer adds a bit of humor to the high-stakes mission, highlighting that even in deep space, astronauts still have to deal with everyday challenges.
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