Tide has collaborated with NASA to make the world’s first space detergent that astronauts can use to wash their clothes aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Moreover, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Tide’s parent company, is even working on a washing machine.
While on space mission, astronauts often dispose off their used clothes in trash. This trash burns in the atmosphere aboard the discarded cargo ships.
Fully degradable
Hence, P&G will now be funding to fulfill the research requirements as part of the Space Act Agreement signed with NASA on June 22.
NASA scientists and the Ohio-based company recently developed a fully degradable laundry detergent that can clean clothes without even wasting water.
The plan is to test fabric care products over the next ten years, including at the ISS and on upcoming missions to the Moon and Mars.
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“Scientific breakthroughs always starts from a very limited application, but when we get that breakthrough, the ability to use it to solve today’s problems on Earth is going to be phenomenal,” chief executive officer of P&G’s fabric and home care division Shailesh Jejurikar was cited as saying by CNBC.
World’s first Space Detergent
P&G will send a pair of Tide detergents to the ISS along with Tide to Go Wipes and Tide to Go Pens, which are stain removers.
NASA and P&G will now be working to find a solution to a big problem. There are no laundry facilities aboard the ISS. So, NASA generally delivers almost 150 pounds of clothing for a crew member. Hence, the astronauts discard tons of clothes which then burn in the atmosphere.
The Space Detergent will solve the malodor, cleaning and stain removal problems of washable items used in space missions. It will also work perfectly in a closed-loop water system.
P&G plans to study the stability of detergents under conditions of microgravity and exposure to radiation levels found in space.
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