Disposable Absorption Containment Trunk (DACT)

Disposable Absorption Containment Trunk (DACT) was developed by NASA as part of the Body Waste Management System during Extra-Vehicular Activity for female astronauts during the 1980s.

Initially designed for use on early Shuttle flights, the DACT was intended to be worn during launch, spacewalks, or other situations when access to a toilet was not possible. Unlike their male counterparts, who used a urine collection hose and bag assembly, female astronauts required a different solution, leading to the creation of the DACT.

The DACT consists of several layers,often including a plastic outer liner, a conforming absorbent material, a water-absorbent layer, a nonwoven layer, and a tricot liner. This undergarment was specifically engineered for short-term use beneath the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment, which astronauts wear during space missions.

Women were first admitted to the astronaut corps in 1978, and the need for effective waste management solutions became apparent. Early attempts to adapt male-oriented devices for female astronauts were unsuccessful, prompting NASA to innovate and create a specialised product. The DACT was first used in 1983 during the Challenger mission and marked a significant advancement in accommodating the needs of female astronauts.

Today, both male and female astronauts typically opt for ordinary disposable undergarments when wearing pressure suits, and the MAG remains an important example of NASA's efforts to address gender-specific challenges in space.