The bizarre truth about how astronauts deal with dirty clothes on the International Space Station will blow your mind
Dirty Laundry Doesn't Get Washed—It Gets Launched
No Sweat? No Problem
Reddit Reacts: Shock, Humor, and Horror
A New Dawn in Space Laundry?
You Might Also Like:
NASA says this 10-minute workout beats 30 minutes of jogging and is easier on your joints
When you imagine life aboard the International Space Station, you probably picture zero-gravity acrobatics, awe-inspiring views of Earth, and high-tech gear floating through futuristic modules. What you might not picture, however, is the simple, yet startling question: how do astronauts do their laundry? The answer is as bizarre as space travel itself—and it's turning heads online.Contrary to what Earthlings might expect, astronauts don't have access to washing machines or even manual laundry buckets. There's no rinse cycle in orbit. In fact, worn clothes aboard the ISS are never washed at all. Once garments become too filthy to endure, astronauts do what only astronauts can—they throw them out. Quite literally.Used clothing is packed into cargo spacecrafts which are eventually directed to burn up during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. That's right—astronaut underwear and sweat-stained polos become shooting stars in the sky. It's an unconventional solution, but given the precious water supply and the impracticality of hauling detergent into orbit, it's the only viable option—at least for now.Fortunately, conditions aboard the ISS help mitigate the grime. The station is temperature-controlled, limiting how much astronauts actually sweat. It's a sterile, sealed environment—no dirt, rain, or backyard chores to ruin an outfit. That said, astronauts still have to make every item count. Typically, each crew member brings just one polo shirt for every 15 days and one pair of underwear for every three.To stretch cleanliness further, NASA partners with apparel companies to develop space-grade garments. These aren't your everyday clothes—they're antibacterial, absorbent, quick-drying, and odor-resistant. In one case, Japanese brand BEAMS designed specially engineered garments for astronaut Soichi Noguchi's extended mission in 2020. These outfits are built to fight odor and bacteria, helping astronauts avoid infections and stay as fresh as possible without a single rinse.When Redditors caught wind of the ISS laundry routine, reactions ranged from fascination to disbelief. Some questioned the hygiene implications, while others simply shuddered at the lifestyle. 'I was wondering how they didn't get UTIs and boils,' one user commented, relieved to learn about the antibacterial clothing requirement. Another added humorously, 'When I was a kid I wanted to be an astronaut so badly. Now? Not so much.'Some were more curious: 'How many outfits do they bring?' one person asked. 'Can you identify an astronaut who's been up there too long by whether or not they're naked?'As absurd as burning clothes may sound, NASA and Tide are working on a cleaner, more sustainable solution. In 2022, the detergent giant joined forces with the space agency to develop a fully degradable laundry detergent—formulated specifically for space. Their goal? To make laundry in microgravity a real possibility, even with minimal water use. If successful, future astronauts could enjoy the luxury of clean clothes without having to incinerate them in Earth's atmosphere.So, the next time you toss your laundry into the washer, be grateful. Up in space, even that humble chore requires rocket science.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Indian astronaut completes full dress rehearsal with Ax-4 crew ahead of space launch
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to soar into space as part of Axiom Space's upcoming Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. Ahead of the space launch, Shukla and his fellow crew members completed a full-dress rehearsal of launch day operations with SpaceX teams, including a critical static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket. advertisementThe mission is scheduled to launch on Tuesday, June 10, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in static fire - a routine but crucial pre-launch procedure - was completed successfully, and teams are now reviewing the data while monitoring weather conditions along the rocket's ascent corridor to ensure optimal launch readiness. Shukla will serve as the pilot of the Ax-4 mission, which marks India's return to human spaceflight after more than four decades. Joining him are mission commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Hungary's Tibor Kapu, and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, both flying as mission specialists. The mission's lift-off comes 41 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to journey into space aboard the Russian Soyuz T-11 in 1984. advertisement The crew will travel aboard a newly developed SpaceX Dragon spacecraft mounted atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft, which arrived at Launch Pad 39A's hangar ahead of its maiden voyage, will carry the four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom's fourth private human spaceflight slated for launch on June 8, the Ax-4 mission was delayed by two days to ensure all systems were optimally prepared. The Dragon capsule is expected to dock with the ISS on Wednesday, June 11, at around 10 PM IST (12:30 PM EDT), following a journey of approximately 28 their stay aboard the ISS, the Ax-4 crew will carry out around 60 scientific investigations spanning human health, Earth observation, and material sciences. The research will involve collaborations across 31 countries, making it one of the most internationally diverse commercial space missions to anticipation builds, the Ax-4 mission is being closely watched across the globe, particularly in India, where Shukla's flight has reignited public excitement for human space exploration and highlighted the country's growing footprint in global space Watch
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From classroom to cosmos: Shubhanshu Shukla's wife looks back & ahead
HARBOR ISLAND-MELBOURNE BEACH (FLORIDA): When Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla lifts off to space aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission on June 10 for a two-week stay on the ISS, it won't just mark a milestone for India. For his wife Kamna, it's another chapter in a life shaped quietly around duty, friendship, and long familiarity. Speaking exclusively to TOI just days ahead of the launch from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre here, Kamna shared what this journey has meant to her—as a partner, as a parent, and as someone who's known 'Shux' since childhood. 'As you go on this incredible journey, I am extremely proud of you. You're not just reaching for the stars, you are inspiring so many of us back home. Just shine bright and do your duty to your best, as you always do.' Kamna's Message To Shux 'It was in the beginning of 2020,' she recalled, when it first felt real that Shukla might actually go to space. 'One of the criteria for Gaganyaan aspirants was that they had to be test pilots. It's such a small community that we were elated, because whoever it may be, he would be known to us. That small idea has become an incredible reality now.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo At home, Shux is a man of routine and quiet resolve. 'He loves his workouts, non-fiction books, to goof around with his six-year-old son. But when you talk about his fearlessness, he's taken immense risks. He left his life as a fighter pilot and stepped into the uncharted world of spaceflight. From making decisions in microseconds to doing delicate experiments in micrograms—it's a complete shift,' she said. Her favourite image of him, though, is less about space and more about spirit. 'There's a never-say-never attitude in him that's very special. You'll often find him quoting Dory from Finding Nemo—just keep swimming. There may be a fire anywhere, but he focuses on solutions. That's his forte.' Of the rest of the Ax-4 crew, Kamna said they are now more than colleagues. 'They call themselves friends for life. Their experience in microgravity will bind them forever. I'm so glad Shux found these friends—and all of them adore our son Sid.' Kamna and Shukla first met in primary school. 'We've studied together since Class 3. We've been best friends. I've known him as Gunjan, as Shubhanshu—the shy guy in our classroom—who's now inspiring so many people.' But being married to someone on this path means living with distance and missed milestones. 'These things do get overwhelming, especially Shux missing Sid's early childhood. He finds that deeply painful,' she admitted. 'But he's incredibly focused, like Arjuna [from Mahabharat]—he only sees the target.' Her way of coping has been to embrace anticipation over anxiety: 'You can either be overwhelmed or be excited. We chose excitement. Nothing worthwhile comes without risk. With challenge comes glory—that's the mindset.' Sid is still too young to fully grasp what's unfolding. 'It's all just exciting for him. He thinks everyone's father is an astronaut. When we visited Nasa, he was thrilled to see rockets and suits. But when asked what he liked most, he said, 'deers in Nasa's park are very nice'. That's his comprehension for now. I'm sure when he grows up, he'll be super proud.' Asked how she'd want Sid to remember this time, Kamna said: 'I'd tell him his father was the chosen one. Lucky to represent his beautiful country and its 1.4 billion people. Fortune favours the brave, and Shux is the bravest person I know. He left his love for flying to enter an unknown territory. He reaches for the stars—and yet, he remains grounded.' Back home, they know this is only the beginning. 'He has immense responsibility. The Axiom mission is a stepping stone for India's Gaganyaan programme . Whatever he learns will help the country. He'll be quite busy once he returns.' But first, the launch. And for Kamna, it's like every other take-off in a fighter pilot's life. 'I never attended his take-offs. Out of sight, out of mind—that's how I cope. I haven't thought about the launch day. We go with the flow. We're filled with gratitude. We'll take it as it comes.'
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
Shukla's ISS flight set to mark liftoff for India's space industry
'I carry not just technical equipment but the hopes and dreams of 1.7 billion Indians.' With these words, Shubhanshu Shukla, poised to become the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station, has stirred a wave of national pride. As he readies for launch from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (Nasa's) Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, his mission marks a return to government-sponsored human spaceflight for India after a hiatus of more than four decades — and a bold step into the country's spacefaring future. The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is reportedly spending ₹550 crore on the mission. The resonance is unmistakable. More than forty years have passed since Rakesh Sharma's legendary journey aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984 — and his immortal reply when asked how India looked from space: 'Saare Jahaan Se Achcha'. Now, Shukla's flight, part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), is being cast as a generational handoff. If Sharma represented the dreams of a nascent India looking outward, Shukla embodies a confident India reaching for the controls, according to industry experts, who say Shukla's flight will be a stepping stone, signalling a larger role for the private sector in India's forthcoming human spaceflight programmes and space station plans. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, the Crew Dragon C213 capsule will carry Shukla into low Earth orbit. His participation is more than symbolic: At 39, he is one of the four astronauts shortlisted for India's maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, currently slated for late 2026 or early 2027. His role on Ax-4 is to pilot the Dragon spacecraft -- and to bring home crucial operational experience for the Gaganyaan programme. It was on February 27 last year that Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the names of the four astronauts who would carry India's spaceflight ambitions: Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Prathap, and Shukla. Of the four, Shukla is the first to make the leap — and he is clear-eyed about what it means. 'I will be conducting seven scientific experiments that could contribute significantly to our understanding of microgravity and pave the way for future space research. In many ways, I see myself as a bridge between Earth and space,' he told the media. Alongside the research gear, he is also carrying artefacts designed by the National Institute of Design — a nod to India's creative and technological confidence. While his mission is short compared to lifetime milestones, its significance is enduring. Gopichand Thotakura may have etched his name in history last year as India's first civilian astronaut, but Shukla's journey feels different — a measured stride toward a new frontier for Indian science, not just a visit. 'It is important to note that a private company (Elon Musk's SpaceX) is providing the means to go to the space station,' said A K Bhatt, director general of the Indian Space Association (ISpA). 'This experience is a stepping stone to what we want to achieve.' Firms like Larsen & Toubro, among others, are already playing a critical role in the Gaganyaan project, he noted. Bhatt sees a broader transformation underway. 'I see companies like L&T, Tata, and Anand excelling in the sector going ahead, and our startups are also going to play a major role.' The ambition is vast. From $8.4 billion in 2024, India's space economy is projected to soar to $44 billion by 2033, according to a March Ficci-EY report. If the trajectory holds, India's share of the global space market will quadruple: From 2 per cent to 8 per cent. But the sector will need a net investment of $22 billion to reach that target. A constellation of startups is already orbiting the dream. From Dhruva Space and Bellatrix Aerospace to Skyroot, Manastu, and Agnikul Cosmos -- each firm is carving out a niche, whether in propulsion systems, launch vehicles, or satellite design. Even legacy mapping companies like MapmyIndia are getting in on the action, providing geospatial solutions and navigation tech.
