Lunch Quote by Mary Roach
““I will tell you sincerely and without exaggeration that the best part of lunch today at the NASA Ames cafeteria is the urine. It is clear and sweet, though not in the way mountain streams are said to be clear and sweet. More in the way of Karo syrup. The urine has been desalinated by osmotic pressure. Basically it swapped molecules with a concentrated sugar solution. Urine is a salty substance (though less so than the NASA Ames chili), and if you were to drink it in an effort to rehydrate yourself, it would have the opposite effect. But once the salt is taken care of and the distasteful organic molecules have been trapped in an activated charcoal filter, urine is a restorative and surprisingly drinkable lunchtime beverage. I was about to use the word unobjectionable , but that's not accurate. People object. They object a lot.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Packing for Mars by Mary Roach, 2010
The quote humorously describes NASA Ames cafeteria urine, processed to remove salt and contaminants, making it unexpectedly drinkable but still unappealing.
In simple terms: Processed urine can be made safe to drink but remains unappetizing.
Key Takeaway
Consider the science behind unconventional water sources.
Themes
science
humor
food
space exploration
Mood
amused
curious
Type
informative
humorous
When to use this quote
- space missions
- survival training
- extreme environments
- food safety
Key Concepts
osmosis
filtration
human perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance safety with palatability?
- What other unconventional water sources could be viable?
A Different Perspective
Taste and cultural acceptance limit its practical use.
![“Borman's dumping urine. Urine [in] approximately one minute." Two lines further along, we see Lovell saying, "What a sight to behold!” quote by Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d06/mary-roach-635_humorous_borman-s-dumping-urine-urine-in-approxim_1888165.jpg)
