Upworthy

Woman breaks down how astronauts pee and poop in space in viral thread

Women deal with a lot of sexism and obstacles here on earth, so it makes sense that this sexism would follow them in to space. The first woman went into space in 1963, but it took another two decades for female astronauts to become common. Turns out there's a glass ceiling even outside of the earth's orbit.

Apparently, there is a myth that NASA took so long to send women into space because of how women go to the bathroom?!

Recently, author Mary Robinette Kowal published an essay called “To Make It to the Moon, Women Have to Escape Earth's Gender Bias" exploring the ways in which sexism here on earth prevented women from making strides in space. In response to her essay, she says several people claimed that "women couldn't go into space because we lacked the technology for them to pee in space."

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Innovation

31 Days of Happiness Countdown: This cooking show in space is just so delicious. (Day 17)

Thanks for stopping by for Day 17 of Upworthy's 31 Days of Happiness Countdown! If this is your first visit, here's the gist: Each day between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, we're sharing stories we hope will bring joy, smiles, and laughter into our lives and yours. It's been a challenging year for a lot of us, so why not end it on a high note with a bit of happiness? Check back tomorrow (or click the links at the bottom) for another installment!

GIF via "Parks & Recreation."

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Heroes

She was raising $2,600 so 100 girls could see 'Hidden Figures.' She just cleared $13,000.

'I figured this movie would be a good starting point to show girls that even when life gets hard, you have to keep going.'

On Dec. 15, 2016, 13-year-old space enthusiast Taylor Richardson had the experience of a lifetime.

She saw a special screening of "Hidden Figures" at the White House alongside the cast of the movie, first lady Michelle Obama, and several NASA astronauts.

From left, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, and Kevin Costner. Photo by NASA/Aubrey Gemignani.

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Apparently, there is a myth that NASA took so long to send women into space because of how women go to the bathroom?!

31 Days of Happiness Countdown: This cooking show in space is just so delicious. (Day 17)

She was raising $2,600 so 100 girls could see 'Hidden Figures.' She just cleared $13,000.

'I figured this movie would be a good starting point to show girls that even when life gets hard, you have to keep going.'

On Dec. 15, 2016, 13-year-old space enthusiast Taylor Richardson had the experience of a lifetime.

11 hilarious NASA GIFs tailor-made for every situation.

Astronaut Peggy Whitson just became the oldest woman in space. It's a big deal.

6 scientists spent a year in isolation for science. They told us what it was like.

A little boy had a book read to him by an astronaut in space, and so can you.

8-year-old Roraigh has always loved space and reading, which is why he entered a contest to have an astronaut read him a bedtime story from space.

This astronaut got a once-in-a-lifetime view of the planet. Here's what he learned.

4 women at NASA are currently training to become the first to walk on Mars.

3 questions to ask yourself before answering NASA's job announcement for new astronauts.

Denver Decriminalizes Psychedelic Mushrooms

Apparently, there is a myth that NASA took so long to send women into space because of how women go to the bathroom?!

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'I figured this movie would be a good starting point to show girls that even when life gets hard, you have to keep going.'

On Dec. 15, 2016, 13-year-old space enthusiast Taylor Richardson had the experience of a lifetime.

8-year-old Roraigh has always loved space and reading, which is why he entered a contest to have an astronaut read him a bedtime story from space.