China develops detergent-free washing machine for deep space missions

China’s Astronaut Research and Training Centre has developed a compact, detergent-free washing machine designed specifically for space missions, addressing the critical challenge of limited water availability on space stations like the ISS and China’s Tiangong. The cube-shaped device, weighing 12 kg and slightly larger than a suitcase, uses just 400 ml of water per cycle in the form of an ultra-fine mist combined with ozone generated by ultraviolet light to disinfect and clean clothes without detergent. This method is highly efficient in microgravity, avoiding issues such as pooling liquids, and achieves a 99.9% sterilization rate, allowing clothes to be reused up to five times. The system operates within a sealed chamber using a 30-minute cycle that includes mist spraying, ozone disinfection, and heated air drying, with sensors and filters ensuring no harmful gases are released. It is designed to last at least five years and could significantly reduce the amount of clothing—and thus launch weight—required for long-duration missions, potentially cutting clothing