Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #30856: Cleansing Water in Space: The Role of the Forward Osmosis Bag

Water is one of the most vital resources for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). However, delivering fresh water to space is extremely costly and logistically challenging. That’s where the Forward Osmosis Bag experiment comes in. Led by Dr. Howard Levine of NASA Kennedy Space Center and developed in partnership with Hydration Technologies Inc., this technology demonstration aims to find an efficient, lightweight way to recycle water in microgravity environments.

Forward osmosis is a natural process that uses the difference in solute concentrations to draw water through a semi-permeable membrane. In this experiment, that principle is used to purify wastewater into drinkable water without the need for external power sources. The Forward Osmosis Bag contains a high-sugar-content drink solution on one side and wastewater—such as urine or other used water—on the other. The sugar solution acts as a draw, pulling clean water molecules through the membrane while leaving contaminants behind.

This simple yet elegant process makes it ideal for space missions, where compactness, reliability, and low energy consumption are critical. The bag’s portability and ease of use make it a game-changer, not just for space applications but also for use in remote or disaster-struck areas on Earth.

During Expeditions 27/28 on the ISS, astronauts tested how the bag performs in microgravity. They assessed not only the purification efficacy but also user experience—how easy the bag is to handle, how well the membrane works in space conditions, and how long it takes for the process to complete.

The results have been promising. The Forward Osmosis Bag provided clean, palatable water while maintaining structural integrity in the harsh environment of space. This could lead to future developments in autonomous life-support systems for long-duration missions to the Moon or Mars.

Back on Earth, this technology could serve as a life-saving tool in emergency scenarios, humanitarian missions, and military operations. It could provide clean water without electricity, complex machinery, or a need for resupply.

In essence, the Forward Osmosis Bag represents how a small, well-engineered tool can make a massive impact in space sustainability and global resource management. It’s a perfect example of how space-based innovations can benefit humanity as a whole.

Get certified with over 100 hours of immersive, self-paced learning in astronomy, cosmology, space technology, and climate science through the Agnirva Space Internship Program. Join, complete virtual projects, and earn a digital certificate to showcase your space fluency in interviews, resumes, and beyond.