Returning to Space, the Final (Home Appliance) Frontier

Testing zero gravity refrigeration, Whirlpool Corp works with NASA and Purdue Testing zero gravity refrigeration, Whirlpool Corp works with NASA and Purdue

Whirlpool Corp. Sr. Principal Engineer Alberto Gomes spoke at The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Aerospace Conference about a refrigeration system being developed for space and how it can improve life at home on Earth.

Whirlpool Corporation has a history of innovating appliances for the U.S. Space Program including creating the world’s first space kitchen and space food. The work that engineers in the Global Product Organization (GPO) continue to deliver for the U.S. space program is not only reaching the stars but could potentially reach the homes of consumers, too.

Last month, Whirlpool Corp. Sr. Principal Engineer Alberto Gomes spoke at The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Aerospace Conference — an event that promotes interdisciplinary understanding of aerospace systems, their underlying science and technology, and their application to government and commercial endeavors.

Gomes spoke on the Vapor Compression Refrigeration System for space exploration, sharing key findings and applications of this technology.

Whirlpool zero gravity refrigerator prototype in the zero gravity test jetVapor Compression Refrigeration System in Space

Whirlpool Corp., along with engineers from Purdue University and compressor manufacturer Air Squared, worked together to develop a refrigerator prototype to use in zero gravity exploration in space, possibly for moon or Mars missions, or on the international space station.

This past year an evaluation of the system successfully demonstrated the product’s capability through different use cases at alternating gravity levels, including a test in a zero-gravity flight. The team was also able to create a system that has more efficiency, saves space, and preserves food longer for space crews.

The next step is reliability testing to ensure there is validation for long-term duration and that its readiness to place into a rocket for space exploration.

Innovating to improve life at home

Working with cutting-edge technology such as aerospace applications brings the opportunity to learn more about product development, and can change the way that Whirlpool Corp. builds and delivers consumer experiences.

Gomes said, “Working on aerospace applications provides opportunities that can help us learn how to accelerate innovations in current product development at Whirlpool Corp.—such as water usage, energy efficiency and a more sustainable product. The possibility of building an appliance to work on Mars and in those conditions will push the boundaries in this direction and can accelerate the development of the new generation of appliances to use on earth.”