Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31108: What to Wear in Space: Studying Clothing Efficiency on the ISS

What do astronauts wear when they're not in spacesuits? Turns out, the clothing they wear inside the International Space Station (ISS) is just as important. The Intravehicular Activity (IVA) Clothing Study, conducted during Expeditions 39/40 and 41/42, explored how clothes behave and wear out in space.

The aim was simple: determine which materials and designs are most effective for long-duration space missions. Clothes in space don’t get washed—they’re worn and discarded. That makes durability, odor control, comfort, and microbial resistance key factors. Led by NASA’s Evelyne Orndoff, the study tested various garments worn during everyday ISS tasks.

Astronauts provided feedback on comfort, smell, and usability. Fabrics were assessed for microbial growth, material degradation, and thermal performance. The results helped NASA refine clothing protocols, aiming to reduce the resupply burden and make future missions more sustainable.

These findings will inform clothing choices for missions to the Moon and Mars, where packing space is limited and hygiene is a challenge. The IVA Clothing Study proves that even the most ordinary items—like a t-shirt—become crucial components of mission success.

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