NASA, SpaceX Cargo Resupply Mission to Experiment on First Space Laundry Detergent

NASA and SpaceX cargo resupply mission is bringing the experiment, which seeks to develop the first-ever space laundry detergent, to the International Space Station or ISS.

NASA, SpaceX Cargo Resupply Mission and First Space Detergent

NASA or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has partnered with a well-known detergent brand, Tide, and its parent firm, Proctor & Gamble, as per the report by NASASpaceFlight.

Tide has been tasked by the United States space agency to develop a laundry detergent that would work without the need for too much water as it is scarce in space.

As such, the detergent brand has come up with a space solution, dubbing it Tide Infinity. It will be flying to the ISS via the SpaceX CRS-24 to undergo further experiments.

The SpaceX CRS-24 marks the 24th space cargo resupply mission of the space firm in partnership with the US space agency. It is scheduled to lift off on Tuesday, Dec. 21 from the Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center of NASA in Florida.

First Space Laundry Detergent

According to the press release of Proctor and Gamble, Tide Infinity is a laundry detergent, which was designed to be used in space, wherein water is extremely scarce, but cleanliness is still essential.

NASA revealed in a press release that as of now astronauts living in the space station do not wash the clothes that they are wearing. Instead, the pieces of clothing are being replaced every resupply mission, just like the SpaceX CRS-24.

However, the limited capacity of the cargo resupply missions will make it a difficult task for the upcoming missions of NASA astronauts on the Moon and, later on, Mars.

P&G further noted that the scientist of the laundry detergent brand is working with NASA under the Space Act Agreement. Their collaboration seeks to "push the boundaries of resource efficiency," along with the "practical applications for the future of laundry on Earth."

It is to note that even if water is abundant here on our home planet, the water-saving detergent designed for space use could also help humankind achieve sustainability on Earth.

One of the research fellows at P&G, Mark Sivik, acknowledged that doing laundry in space carries a couple of limitations, such as the lack of water and the need for an air purification system.

On top of that, Sivik also noted that there is also a need for the water that has been used to wash the clothes to be purified again as drinkable. It comes as water is extremely scarce in far-flung places in space.

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Written by Teejay Boris