SpaceX sends detergent to space to help astronauts wash clothes
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In a Christmas package, SpaceX seems to have sent laundry detergent along with presents and turkey to astronauts at the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday. Manufactured by Proctor and Gamble, the detergent seems to be a part of an experiment to see that can it effectively wash clothes in space. In June, the experiment was announced
In a Christmas package, SpaceX seems to have sent laundry detergent along with presents and turkey to astronauts at the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday.
Manufactured by Proctor and Gamble, the detergent seems to be a part of an experiment to see that can clothes be washed in space effectively.
Stage separation confirmed! The @SpaceX Dragon is now floating freely and flying toward the @Space_Station with science, supplies, and holiday treats aboard for the @NASA_Astronauts. pic.twitter.com/ncOPLLXNgd
— NASA (@NASA) December 21, 2021
In June, the experiment was announced in a press release.
Currently, astronauts wear clothes several times before they are replaced completely with new ones, which are sent from Earth.
Ready for launch! 🚀 @Tide is taking its low-resource 🧺 detergent solution to space aboard @SpaceX CRS-24 – scheduled for launch at 5:06 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Dec. 21 (weather permitting). Read more: https://t.co/Qx8Mf9M8IC pic.twitter.com/IIiinmgoTU
— Procter & Gamble (@ProcterGamble) December 20, 2021
"Without a proper laundry solution, 160 pounds of clothing per crew member per year are launched to ISS. Human roundtrip missions to Mars could be two to three years in length," the press release said.
Mark Sivik, senior director and research fellow, Proctor and Gamble, told Space.com, "Once you start having extended trips out in space, laundry is a must-have. What we've developed here is fully degradable and designed to work within the space station's closed-loop system."
If the experiment gets successful, the detergent will help astronauts wash clothes in space. It would be helpful in long trips, such as to Mars, in the future.
(With inputs from agencies)