Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Thursday answered “one of the most frequently asked questions” – “How do astronauts stay fresh in space?” Explaining the process, he said it’s essentially “the world’s most expensive sponge bath,” adding that the routine begins with what he described as a “discreet pouch.”
The Ashok Chakra awardee said the process begins with a small sealed bag containing a washcloth pre-filled with disinfectant shampoo. Astronauts add water to the bag to completely soak the material before opening.
“It starts with this unassuming bag. Inside is a washcloth pre-filled with sanitizing shampoo – compact, effective, and definitely unfussy. Add water and the stuff is completely saturated. Rip open the bag and you have the world’s most expensive sponge bath,” Shukla wrote on X along with the video.
What happens to the towel after use?
After use, the towel “goes to a destination” where the moisture it contains is drawn into the spacecraft’s water recovery system. This ensures that the water can be recycled, a key process in space where every drop must be preserved.
“So no, it’s not a hot shower after a long day,” Shukla said, adding that despite the limitations, the system works well and “gets the job done” at “250 miles above Earth.”
‘Did you notice…’
Shukla went on to point out a small but fascinating detail from the demonstration – at one point his phone was suspended in the air.
“Interesting, you noticed I left my phone suspended in the air for a while. You don’t need a phone holder in space,” Shukla captioned his post.
Unlike life on Earth, where gravity pulls objects down and devices need mounts or stands to stay in place, things behave very differently in space.
In microgravity, objects don’t fall like they do on Earth, so astronauts don’t need a phone holder—the devices can simply float next to them in the air until they’re moved.
Shubhanshu Shukla part of Gaganyaan mission
Group captain Shukla is among the four astronauts who have been selected for the Gaganyaan mission.
The Gaganyaan mission is India’s first human spaceflight program currently under development. Its goal is to send a three-man crew on a three-day mission into space and bring them back safely to Earth.
When will the Gaganyaan mission start?
India aims to launch the Gaganyaan mission in 2027, according to ISRO.
“I think as a nation, what we are trying to do with Mission Gaganyaan, only three other countries in the world have done,” Shukla told reporters in Bengaluru earlier.
