Observations of the December 2006 Particle Events at High Latitudes with the KET aboard Ulysses

A flush control mechanism for a toilet and associated method that enables the toilet to be flushed with either a long flush cycle for solid wastes or a short flush cycle for liquid wastes. The present invention includes a nonbouyant flush valve that controls the duration of the flush cycle. A handle assembly is provided that is rotatably manipulative around its longitudinal axis from a set orientation to a rotated orientation. The handle assembly is also reciprocally manipulative along its longitudinal axis from an extended position to a retracted position. A first mechanism is coupled to the handle assembly and the flush valve for temporarily maintaining the flush valve in an open condition when the handle assembly is rotated into its rotated orientation. The flush valve remains open until the tank drains to a first level. A second mechanism is coupled to the handle assembly for temporarily maintaining the flush valve in an open condition when the handle assembly is manipulated into its retracted position and is rotated into its rotated orientation. The second mechanism acts to hold the flush valve open until the tank drains to a second level or empties completely.