Investigations of the Use of Underwear, Garment, Personal Hygiene Means Using Under Conditions of Isolation during the Sirius Project

Washing of underwear, garment and Personal Hygiene Means in the space flight conditions are not provided at present time. New underwear, garment, and Personal Hygiene Means (napkins, towels for personal hygiene etc.) are delivered to space ships and orbital stations from the Earth and then, after short-term use, they are disposed of in the waste collection, where they accumulate in significant quantities and masses. The possibility of space missions depends on the capacity of the spacecraft, and the possibility of space missions becomes problematic due to the large weight of stocks. Therefore, during the experiment on the project "SIRIUS" (Scientific International Research In Unique terrestrial Station - international scientific research in a unique ground-based experimental complex on the basis of the IBMP a number of studies were conducted including research on monitoring the use of Personal Hygiene Means, underwear and garment in conditions of 17-day and 120-day isolation, taking into account the current standards for their expenditure in space flight at the International Space Station (ISS). was received more than 120 completed questionnaires, which made it possible to assess the weight characteristics of the stocks of clothing, underwear, and personal hygiene means needed for a flight to the Moon. The main research results showed the efficiency of the Sanitary-Hygienic Support System and its fundamental significance. During the 120-day experiment, the crew of 6 people needed more than 500 kg of underwear, bed clothes, towels, Personal Hygiene Means, toilet articles for support of hygienic comfort, as well as means to support of cleanliness in the facility. Studies have shown that for isolation conditions it is extremely important to comply with sanitary-hygienic, epidemiological standards, and the creation of a sufficient amount of underwear, garment and Personal Hygiene Means. The results obtained contribute to the creation of optimal sanitary and hygienic conditions for isolation, including in hermetically sealed objects, manned spacecraft, and will help maintain the health and performance of crew members. It is necessary to develop devices for such sanitary-hygienic procedures as washing clothes, taking a shower, washing hands, combined with a regenerative life-support system for long-term space flights and for stations on the Moon and Mars. When choosing "space clothes", special attention should be paid to the selection of materials taking into account their best hygienic properties.