An Off Planet Laundromat

The overall goal of this technology program is to develop methods to clean clothes, soft spacesuit materials, wearable sensors, and next generation materials that could enhance mission capabilities in the future if they could be cleaned. Specifically, we propose to explore two innovative technologies for space applications: the use of an ozone technology or liquid CO2.

This project offers significant benefits to NASA and others by developing space-efficient, waterless laundry technologies using ozone and liquid CO2. These methods reduce mission mass, extend the usability of materials like spacesuits, and enhance sustainability by reusing materials that are typically disposable. This innovation supports long-duration space missions, improving crew health, performance, and resource management.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.