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Astronaut Brings Back Space Undies for Scientists to Study

by Kendra Cunningham on August 2, 2009 at 03:58 PM


After four months in space, Koichi Wakata is returning to Earth -- and bringing his astronaut underwear with him. According to the Associated Press, scientists will be examining these experimental anti-bacterial, flame retardant, antistatic, and water-absorbent briefs. More importantly, the underwear (dubbed "J-Wear") is designed to be odor-free. Designed in Japan, the undies are made of a fabric composed of cotton and polyester. The seamless and light-weight material is also available in shirt, pants, and sock variations.

Since astronauts have no way of washing clothes, durability and length of wear are key as astronauts usually throw away worn clothes via cargo ships sent back into atmosphere. Wakata told the AP: "I wore them for about a month, and my station crew members never complained for about a month, so I think the experiment went fine." [From AP, via USA Today]

Tags: astronaut, clothes, clothing, experimental, nasa, outerspace, space, top, underwear

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