Researchers are testing plasma jets as a potential water-free method for cleaning and sterilizing equipment on future lunar and Martian missions. The lab experiment, detailed by Live Science, aims to address the challenge of killing germs without traditional laundry or cleaning supplies.
The technology borrows from lightning-like electrical discharges to generate reactive species that can neutralize microbes. Since water is scarce beyond Earth, such a system could prove critical for long-duration stays where resupply is difficult or impossible.
Details of the experiment's effectiveness remain limited, though the initial demonstration suggests the plasma jets can inactivate harmful organisms. The study did not specify exact kill rates or the specific pathogens tested.
If successful, this approach could reduce the need for water-intensive cleaning aboard space habitats. It may also find applications in medical sterilization and food safety during extended missions to the moon and Mars.
However, scaling the technology for real-world spaceflight poses significant engineering hurdles. The system must operate reliably in vacuum and extreme temperatures while consuming minimal power.