That’s what everyone who goes to the ISS notices first: it smells really bad. Astronauts have to use the same clothes for days and, while they don’t sweat as much as they do on Earth, bacteria still accumulates on the fabric. If we want to go to the Moon and Mars for long periods of time, we will need clean underpants.
The space washing machine — which will be developed UMPQUA Research Company — will work with vapor jets, air and microwaves. Apparently, their technology would give the clothes “greatly enhanced softness”. Maybe this will be another one of those space technologies that one day will be common in every household and laundromat on Earth. [The Register via Pop Sci]
Ozoneocean
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 4:55 PMApparently Jeans don’t get much dirtier the longer you wear them… Denim space suits FTW!
Osiris Fox
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 3:55 PMAlthough they did say you need to air them regularly… might pose a challenge in the emptiness of space though. Must say, the mental image of all this washing hung up on any free support cable outside the station is kind of funny.
Mmmmm
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 9:09 PMEvery one knows under pants can be worn for 4 days. 1st day normal, 2nd day turn em in side out, 3rd day wear em back wards and day 4 turn em inside out again. Simiilar story for socks, swap feet on the third day. If that fails then remember the goden rule….anything not seen for three days can be taken as clean and therfore worn for four days.