Description: OSCAR is an Early Career Initiative (ECI) project at the Kennedy Space Center that studies technology to convert trash and human waste into useful gasses such as methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. By processing small pieces of trash in a high-temperature reactor, OSCAR is advancing new and innovative technology for managing waste in space. The technology would reduce the amount of space needed for waste storage within a spacecraft, turn some waste into gasses that have energy storage and life support applications and ensure waste is no longer biologically active. More information: NASA Technology Designed to Turn Space Trash into Treasure.

Benefits: • Enabling: Converts space-based trash and human waste into useful gases • Practical: Reduces the area needed for waste storage on spacecraft • Sustainable: Generates gases that have energy storage and life support applications