Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) or on long-duration space missions face unique challenges when it comes to personal hygiene and laundry. Here's how they handle cleaning their underwear and the number of garments they bring along:
Reusable Underwear: Astronauts typically wear specialized underwear made from moisture-wicking and antimicrobial materials designed to be worn multiple times before needing washing. These garments help to minimize odor and bacterial growth.
Limited Space and Resources: Spacecraft have limited storage space and weight restrictions, so astronauts can't bring an unlimited supply of clothing. They must carefully plan and prioritize what clothing items they bring on board.
Personal Hygiene: To maintain personal hygiene, astronauts use rinseless body wipes, no-rinse body wash, and rinseless shampoo. These products help them keep clean without the need for running water.
Laundry in Space: Historically, there was no practical way to do laundry in space, so astronauts would wear their clothes until they became too soiled or uncomfortable. They would then discard the used garments, which would eventually burn up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
Advanced Laundry Techniques: In recent years, NASA has been exploring more advanced laundry techniques for long-duration space missions. One such technology is the "Space Washing Machine" or the "Orbital Laundry System," which aims to clean clothes using a combination of wetting agents, airflow, and special detergents. However, this system was still under development and not yet in routine use.
Cargo Resupply Missions: To ensure a constant supply of clean clothes, astronauts rely on cargo resupply missions to the ISS. These missions deliver fresh clothing items, including underwear, along with other essential supplies.
Quantity of Underwear: The number of underwear items each astronaut brings depends on the duration of their mission, the resupply schedule, and the amount of available storage space. Generally, astronauts are provided with several sets of specialized underwear to last them through their stay on the ISS or during their mission.
It's important to note that space agencies like NASA are continually researching and developing better solutions for astronauts' personal hygiene and laundry needs during extended space missions. As technology advances, we can expect more efficient and sustainable ways of handling laundry and personal care in space.