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Active TRL 4 (started at 4, targeting 6)
Clothing accounts for approximately one quarter of the non-food supplies delivered to the International Space Station (ISS), representing a significant burden for long-duration missions. Because there are no laundry systems in space, astronauts must frequently receive fresh clothing, which becomes increasingly impractical for deep-space exploration. This proof-of-concept prototype washer-dryer system can wash and dry clothing in a single cycle, eliminating the need for astronauts to wear soiled garments for extended periods.
The technology directly addresses NASA’s critical gap for a compact laundry solution that can operate on the Moon (1/6 g) and Mars (1/3 g), with performance requirements of less than seven hours per 4.5 kg load (cotton, polyester, wool), machine mass below 50 kg, external volume under 0.3 m³, and power consumption below 300 W. Beyond enhancing crew comfort and hygiene, this integrated solution supports multiple NASA life support and habitation systems needs, including:
1518 Logistics Tracking, Clothing, and Trash Management for Habitation 1568 Water and Dormancy Management for Habitation 1613 Surface-based Fluid Management for Sustained Lunar Evolution 1517 Metabolic Waste Management for Habitation
Problem Statement
Currently, the absence of laundry systems in space requires large allocations of up-mass for clothing resupply. This problem intensifies as missions extend farther from Earth, where resupply becomes less feasible. Existing terrestrial washing and drying methods cannot be adapted directly to space due to size, mass, and power limitations, as well as fluid management challenges in microgravity and partial gravity.
This technology solves this problem by providing a compact, energy-efficient, and gravity-agnostic washer–dryer combination unit. Compared to traditional supply-based approaches, it reduces logistics costs, enhances crew health and comfort, and enables sustainable long-duration missions.
Technology Maturation
This work aims to increase the TRL of the washer-dryer system designed in Phase II and prepare it for spaceflight applications. Flight Opportunities testing will provide critical validation under relevant gravity conditions (zero g, lunar g, Martian g), enabling system design, controls, and fluid management strategies refinement.
Post-flight, expected outcomes that will significantly advance the system’s maturity include:
• Demonstrated functional performance in microgravity and partial gravity conditions.
• Verified semi-autonomous operation capability.
• Data to inform long-term reliability and life cycle models.
• Pathways for both space deployment and dual-use terrestrial applications.
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