In the challenging environment of space, water conservation is critical. Every drop is meticulously recycled for drinking and personal hygiene, which means astronauts typically do not wash their clothes. Instead, they wear their garments until they are no longer usable, at which point the items are incinerated along with other cargo capsules upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. However, engineers at the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre have created an innovative compact washing machine specifically designed for microgravity conditions. This new device, which is slightly larger than a suitcase and weighs 12 kilograms, operates using a mere 400 milliliters of water that is released as an ultra-fine mist, capable of cleaning up to 800 grams of clothing in a single cycle. Rather than traditional detergent, it utilizes ozone generated by ultraviolet light to disinfect the fabrics. Testing has demonstrated an impressive sterilization rate of 99.9%, allowing clothes to remain hygienic for up to five uses after one wash cycle. Designed to endure for five years, this groundbreaking technology has the potential to decrease the amount of clothing required for space missions by over 60%, significantly lowering the weight burden of cargo during launches. The developers are optimistic that such a washing machine will play a crucial role in upcoming missions to the Moon and Mars.
Informational material. 18+.
