How do astronauts go to the bathroom in space?

Greets, Matt:

We recently read about the fellow trying to circle the globe in a balloon. This raised a serious question for us. Uh...what does he do with his #1 and #2? Moreover, how do astronauts handle this? Is it bagged for an "earthly" disposal, or do they let it fly like the birds? Thanks, we knew you could help.

-- #1 and #2, Ocean Beach

NASA has made great strides in the field of interplanetary poop. Apollo astronauts used diapers and plastic bags for #1 and #2, respectively. When toilets came on board, the disposal system could hold the waste of seven astronauts for two weeks at most. This became the limiting factor for the length of space missions until the new models were developed. An astronaut straps him/herself onto the new, improved zero-gravity john, creating a vacuum between butt and seat. Air streams direct #1 into a collection tank; #2 goes into a "breathable" plastic bag, it's vacuum dried to prevent bacterial growth, then compacted and stored on board. Liquid wastes, including #1, are periodically sprayed into space in tiny frozen, dust-like particles "to fly like the birds." The prototype of the new toilet system cost NASA $23 million, so long-distance balloonists must solve the problem another way. Most often, their capsules are fitted with chemical toilets and holding tanks, with no 1s or 2s flying anywhere, we hope. But thanks for asking.