International Space Station to get a Washing Machine

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station will soon get a respite from having to wear stinky clothes: NASA is commissioning a washer-dryer combo:

Imagine putting dirty clothes into a washing machine, leaving, and only coming back once the freshly cleaned clothes have been dried out by microwaves. That out-of-this-world-laundry concept could someday become a reality for astronauts and space explorers headed for the moon, asteroids or Mars.

Such a washing machine is designed to clean dirty astronaut clothing inside a sealed plastic bag that can also receive a drying blast of microwaves. The simple one-step process represents an energy- and water-efficient solution that spares space travelers from hauling a water-intensive washing machine up into space or bringing along disposable clothing.

Which brings the obvious question to mind: what have they been doing with their clothes?

The Daily Mail has the answer:

Brave - and strong-stomached - astronauts usually wear underwear for three or four days before putting them in a capsule that is ejected and burns up in the atmosphere. Other clothes are worn 'for months'.

So if you saw a streak of light in the sky, and you thought you've been wishing upon a falling star, think again. That may just be some astronaut's underwear. Thanks Tiffany!