" " The 'bathroom' on the International Space Station doesn't exactly present the astronauts with a spa-like environment, but it gets the job done in a safe and healthy environment. NASA

Even when you're millions of miles from home, you can't escape certain facts of life. When astronauts are orbiting hundreds of miles above Earth's surface, they still have to eat, sleep and go to the bathroom. Of course, the mechanics of using the toilet -- and disposing of the resulting waste -- in zero gravity can get a little tricky.

Since the very earliest space missions, a number of contraptions have helped astronauts relieve themselves more easily. These inventions run the gamut from simple adult diapers to more sophisticated toilet systems that actually can convert urine into drinkable water. Throughout the history of space exploration, spacecraft have come equipped with their own toilets. Despite this, there have been a few hitches over the years -- including broken toilets and disputes over sharing bathrooms -- that have made going to the bathroom in space an adventure in and of itself.



Take a trip down aerospace memory lane and learn about some of the bathroom moments that have given astronauts the greatest relief and aggravation over the years.