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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) Capability Roadmap Development for Exploration

NASA is considering a number of future human space exploration mission concepts. Although detailed requirements and vehicle architectures remain mostly undefined, near-term technology investment decisions need to be guided by the anticipated capabilities needed to enable or enhance the mission concepts. This paper describes a roadmap that NASA has formulated to guide the development of Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) capabilities required to enhance the long-term operation of the International Space Station (ISS) and enable beyond-Low Earth Orbit (LEO) human exploration missions. Three generic mission types were defined to serve as a basis for developing a prioritized list of needed capabilities and technologies. Those are 1) a short duration micro gravity mission; 2) a long duration transit microgravity mission; and 3) a long duration surface exploration mission. To organize the effort, ECLSS was categorized into three major functional groups (atmosphere, water, and solid waste management) with each broken down into sub-functions. The ability of existing, flight-proven state-of-the-art (SOA) technologies to meet the functional needs of each of the three mission types was then assessed. When SOA capabilities fell short of meeting the needs, those "gaps" were prioritized in terms of whether or not the corresponding capabilities enable or enhance each of the mission types. The resulting list of enabling and enhancing capability gaps can be used to guide future ECLSS development. A strategy to fulfill those needs over time was then developed in the form of a roadmap. Through execution of this roadmap, the hardware and technologies needed to enable and enhance exploration may be developed in a manner that synergistically benefits the ISS operational capability, supports Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) development, and sustains long-term technology investments for longer duration missions. This paper summarizes NASA s ECLSS capability roadmap development process, findings, and recommendation

Bagdigian, Robert M.↗

Cabin Environment Physics Risk Model

This paper presents a Cabin Environment Physics Risk (CEPR) model that predicts the time for an initial failure of Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) functionality to propagate into a hazardous environment and trigger a loss-of-crew (LOC) event. This physics-of failure model allows a probabilistic risk assessment of a crewed spacecraft to account for the cabin environment, which can serve as a buffer to protect the crew during an abort from orbit and ultimately enable a safe return. The results of the CEPR model replace the assumption that failure of the crew critical ECLSS functionality causes LOC instantly, and provide a more accurate representation of the spacecraft's risk posture. The instant-LOC assumption is shown to be excessively conservative and, moreover, can impact the relative risk drivers identified for the spacecraft. This, in turn, could lead the design team to allocate mass for equipment to reduce overly conservative risk estimates in a suboptimal configuration, which inherently increases the overall risk to the crew. For example, available mass could be poorly used to add redundant ECLSS components that have a negligible benefit but appear to make the vehicle safer due to poor assumptions about the propagation time of ECLSS failures.

Risk↗

Human Exploration System Test-Bed for Integration and Advancement (HESTIA) Support of Future NASA Deep-Space Missions

The Engineering Directorate at the NASA - Johnson Space Center is outfitting a 20-Foot diameter hypobaric chamber in Building 7 to support future deep-space Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) research as part of the Human Exploration System Test-bed for Integration and Advancement (HESTIA) Project. This human-rated chamber is the only NASA facility that has the unique experience, chamber geometry, infrastructure, and support systems capable of conducting this research. The chamber was used to support Gemini, Apollo, and SkyLab Missions. More recently, it was used to conduct 30-, 60-, and 90-day human ECLSS closed-loop testing in the 1990s to support the International Space Station and life support technology development. NASA studies show that both planetary surface and deep-space transit crew habitats will be 3-4 story cylindrical structures driven by human occupancy volumetric needs and launch vehicle constraints. The HESTIA facility offers a 3-story, 20-foot diameter habitat consistent with the studies' recommendations. HESTIA operations follow stringent processes by a certified test team that including human testing. Project management, analysis, design, acquisition, fabrication, assembly and certification of facility build-ups are available to support this research. HESTIA offers close proximity to key stakeholders including astronauts, Human Research Program (who direct space human research for the agency), Mission Operations, Safety & Mission Assurance, and Engineering Directorate. The HESTIA chamber can operate at reduced pressure and elevated oxygen environments including those proposed for deep-space exploration. Data acquisition, power, fluids and other facility resources are available to support a wide range of research. Recently completed HESTIA research consisted of unmanned testing of ECLSS technologies. Eventually, the HESTIA research will include humans for extended durations at reduced pressure and elevated oxygen to demonstrate very high reliability of critical ECLSS and other technologies.

Marmolejo, Jose↗

Electrolyzer Exergy Analysis for an Environmental Control and Life Support System

An exergy based analysis of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is conducted to assess its overall performance. Exergy is chosen as a measure of performance because it accounts for both the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The exergy efficiency of a system is first defined as the total exergy destroyed by the system relative to the total exergy input to the system. To determine the ECLSS exergy efficiency, the system is divided into constituent subsystems which in turn are divided into assemblies and components. Based on this system decomposition, exergy balances are derived for each assembly or component. Exergy balances and supporting calculations are implemented in MATLAB® code. The major subsystems of the ECLSS considered in this analysis include the Atmosphere Revitalization Subsystem (ARS), Atmosphere Control and Supply Subsystem (ACS), Temperature and Humidity Control Subsystem (THC), Water Recovery and Management Subsystem (WRM), and Waste Management Subsystem (WM). This paper focuses on the ARS and its constituent assemblies and components. Exergy efficiency of the ARS and its constituent assemblies and components is first presented. The Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA), an assembly within the ARS, is then highlighted because the exergy destruction by the OGA is a large magnitude contributor to the overall exergy destruction of the ECLSS. The OGA produces oxygen to meet the crew's metabolic demand via water electrolysis in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer. The exergy destruction of the OGA's PEM electrolyzer is a function of the amount of oxygen produced, which determines the necessary current density and voltage drop across the PEM electrolyzer. In addition, oxygen production in the PEM electrolyzer requires deviation from the Nernst potential, presenting trade-offs between the exergy efficiency and critical life support functions. The results of parametric studies of PEM electrolyzer performance are presented with an emphasis on the impacts of polarization and operational conditions on exergy efficiency.

Chow, Raymond↗

Developmental Efforts of an Electrochemical Oxygen Recovery System for Advanced Life Support

The current State of Art (SOA) Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) oxygen recovery system onboard the International Space Station (ISS) is complex, heavy, and power consuming system that recovers approximately 50% of the oxygen (O2) from metabolic carbon dioxide (CO2). For future long-duration missions, O2 recovery systems will need to be highly reliable, efficient, and recover maximum metabolic CO2. A minimum of 75% O2 recovery is required for future O2 recovery systems. Investigations into various technologies to help meet these requirements for exploration are ongoing; however, most of these proposed technologies ultimately result in a more complex system. A Macrofluidic Electrochemical Reactor (MFECR) is one proposed technology development effort currently underway at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) that has the potential to significantly reduce the complexity of ECLSS O2 recovery system. The MFECR operates at standard conditions, giving it an advantage over other technologies being investigated, which require high temperatures resulting in heavy reactors and high power consumption. The MFECR would replace three pieces of hardware for future ECLSS architectures: the current Carbon Dioxide Reduction Assembly (Sabatier reactor), the Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly (PPA), and the Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA). It is designed to interface directly with the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) and the Water Processor Assembly (WPA). This allows for a less complex system and higher reliability than the current SOA as well as reduced power, weight and H2O consumption of ECLSS. Here, we will discuss the current technology development efforts of the MFECR and how this technology may aide in the advancement of future long-duration life support systems.

Brown, Brittany R.↗

Utilizing Gaps and Key Performance Parameters to Inform NASA Environmental Control and Life Support and Human Health and Performance Capability Technology Decisions

Human spaceflight is a complex endeavor requiring a multitude of capabilities for transportation, crew health, scientific goals, and safe return to Earth. The difference between spaceflight proven capabilities and those needed for a particular mission is defined as a capability gap. Capability gaps are not technology specific. Each capability gap is approachable with a wide array of technologies that have unique benefits and challenges. Determining what a capability’s relevant and distinguishing key performance parameters (KPPs) are for a mission is critical. Mass, power, and volume are always constrained and important, but defining these in a way normalized by performance is challenging. Additionally, KPP definition for reliability, dormancy, and integration needs are very important and still evolving. This paper provides the approach of the Environmental Control and Life Support – Crew Health and Performance (ECLSS-CHP) System Capability Leadership Team (SCLT) to defining gaps and KPPs in support of the NASA’s Capabilities Integration Team data call objectives. The nine ECLSS-CHP capability areas are decomposed to capabilities, gaps, and KPPs. Rather than defining very detailed gaps, ECLSS-CHP defines high-level gaps to be technology agnostic. Within a gap, detailed KPPs are defined to both compare technologies and measure progress within a technology over time. Ideally, KPPs are clearly defined, widely communicated both internally and externally, and provide a common nomenclature to describe the state of the art and the degree of improvement required for exploration missions. KPPs help define when the gap is closed and the core mission objectives can be accomplished. Further technology improvements to enhance the capability, as measured by improved KPPs, must then be weighed against investments in open capability gaps that prevent NASA from achieving its exploration missions. It is uncommon that a technology maturation to improve all the relevant KPPs simultaneously but using KPPs is a critical technology investment decision making component. In addition to traditional technology selections, KPPs are informing how investments in ground testing prior to and in parallel with ISS technology demonstrations are required to improve reliability KPPs. The collection of all major technology activities within a capability area are captured on technology roadmaps to communicate how diverse program activities are coordinated to close gaps and infuse into exploration mission needs. A selection of ECLSS-CHP gaps and KPPs and their formulation, current state, and how they inform capability roadmap planning are discussed. The paper will contain a summary of the approximately 60 gaps. Gaps are classified as to their type (architecture, knowledge, technology, developmental, or engineering) depending on the magnitude of the gap. The paper will provide brief overviews of a few major technology challenges and the technologies being considered, but will reference detailed papers for a more thorough treatment of the challenges and state of the art. Data analysis of the gaps is in work and results are not currently available for this abstract. It is anticipated the paper will include examples of select KPPs with descriptions as to why these are the relevant measures. Additionally some KPPs will be graphically presented over time to show progress to date and when performance targets need to be achieved to support exploration missions. Graphical summaries of how gaps closures with near term mission elements support follow-on mission elements will be provided.

Life Support↗

Utilizing Gaps and Key Performance Parameters to Inform NASA Environmental Control and Life Support and Human Health and Performance Capability Technology Decisions

Human spaceflight is a complex endeavor requiring multiple capabilities for transportation, crew health, scientific goals, and safe return to Earth. The difference between spaceflight proven capabilities and those needed for future exploration architectures is defined as a capability gap. Capability gaps are not technology specific. Each capability gap is approachable with a wide array of technologies that have unique benefits and challenges. Determining what a capability’s relevant and distinguishing key performance parameters (KPPs) are for a mission is critical. Mass, power, and volume are always constrained and important, but defining these in a way normalized by performance is challenging. Additionally, KPP definition for reliability, dormancy, and integration needs are very important and still evolving. This paper provides the approach of the Environmental Control and Life Support – Crew Health and Performance (ECLSS-CHP) System Capability Leadership Team (SCLT) has used to define gaps and KPPs in support of the NASA’s Capabilities Integration Team data call objectives. The nine ECLSS-CHP capability areas are decomposed to capabilities with ~76 gaps and supported with KPPs. Rather than defining very detailed gaps, ECLSS-CHP defines high-level gaps to be technology agnostic. Within a gap, detailed KPPs are defined to both compare technologies and measure progress within a technology over time. Ideally, KPPs are clearly defined, widely communicated both internally and externally, and provide a common nomenclature to describe the state of the art and the degree of improvement required for exploration missions. KPPs help define when the gap is closed, and the core mission objectives can be accomplished. Further technology improvements to enhance the capability, as measured by improved KPPs, must then be weighed against investments in open capability gaps that prevent NASA from achieving its exploration missions. It is uncommon that a technology maturation to improve all the relevant KPPs simultaneously but using KPPs is a critical technology investment decision making component. In addition to traditional technology selections, KPPs are informing how investments in ground testing prior to and in parallel with ISS technology demonstrations are required to improve reliability KPPs. The collection of all major technology activities within a capability area are captured on technology roadmaps to communicate how diverse program activities are coordinated to close gaps and infuse into exploration mission needs. A selection of ECLSS-CHP gaps and KPPs and their formulation, current state, and how they inform capability roadmap planning are discussed.

Life Support↗

Development of an Efficient Alternative to Recovery O2 From Metabolic CO2 Via Electrolysis Operated at Ambient Temperature and Driven By A Highly Selective Catalysis

The current State of Art (SOA) on oxygen recovery onboard the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) at the International Space Station (ISS) is complex, heavy, and power consuming system that recovers approximately 50% of the oxygen (O 2 ) from metabolic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). For future long duration beyond low earth orbit missions (LEO), O 2 recovery systems will need to be highly reliable, efficient, and recover a minimum of 75% O 2 from metabolic CO 2 . An alternative technology development effort currently underway at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has the potential to significantly increase O 2 recovery currently limited to 50% (Sabatier) and reduce the complexity of ECLSS O 2 recovery. MSFC and University of Texas in Arlington (UTA) have jointly designed and fabricated a microfluid electrochemical reactor (MFECR) that operates at ambient conditions and utilizes a proprietary catalysis highly selective on reducing CO 2 to ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) at the cathode while O 2 is generated at the anode. The MFECR would replace three pieces of hardware for future ECLSS architectures: the current CO 2 Reduction Assembly (CRA) (Sabatier reactor), the Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly (PPA), and the Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA). It is designed to interface directly with the CO 2 Removal Assembly (CDRA) and the Water Processing Assembly (WPA) to supply CO 2 reactant and water replenish respectively. This is expected to substantially improve sustainability of the ISS ECLSS and reduce requirement on power and weight. Here, we discuss the current development and evaluation efforts on different alternatives on not only the configuration and setup of the MFECR at an Engineering Design Unit (EDU) scale but also the selection of component materials.

Jesus A Dominguez↗

Crew Health and Performance (CHP) Technology Roadmaps

The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) – Crew Health and Performance (CHP) Systems Capability Leadership Team (SCLT) is a community of practice (not a funded program) sponsored by Headquarters to develop, retain, and infuse the ECLSS and CHP capabilities necessary to enable the human exploration of the Moon and Mars through the integration and empowerment of experts across NASA, other government agencies, commercial industry, and academia. The goals of the SCLT are as follows: Use the Architecture Definition Document use cases and functions to identify gaps in NASA’s current technological capabilities to meet Agency objectives and develop strategies and roadmaps for closing such gaps Make technical/strategic recommendations on ECLSS and CHP technology development efforts and investments for PPBE, acquisition strategies, and leveraging NASA’s critical capabilities Establish key performance parameters and participate in key program and project reviews Maintain cognizance of relevant ECLSS and CHP national and international technology activities in government, industry, and academia, specifically, emerging innovations and technologies, trends, and opportunities Coordinate with commercial and international partners to identify areas of mutual interest and cooperation Support future mission and system architecture studies for human exploration This document is intended to be a comprehensive overview of the strategic development plans, or Roadmaps, of key technologies and capabilities identified by the SCLT. Each Roadmap is organized by Capability Gap as the gap name and number appears in STARPort, follows a fiscal year timeline, and displays any additional information on milestones, decision points, or important details on the right-hand side of the page. The Roadmaps should be used to facilitate discussion, decision making, and planning for programs and development projects, but are not expected to accurately depict the details and statuses of the projects and tasks appearing within the plans.

Human Health and Performance↗

International Space Station as a Testbed for Exploration Environmental Control and Life Support Systems - 2022 Status

Human exploration missions beyond low earth orbit, such as NASA’s Artemis Program, present significant challenges to spacecraft system design and supportability. A particularly challenging area is the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) that maintains a habitable and life-sustaining environment for crewmembers. NASA is utilizing the experience gained from its current and prior spaceflight programs to mature life support technologies for exploration missions to deep space. The intent is to establish a portfolio of life support system capabilities with proven performance and reliability to enable human exploration missions and reduce risk to success of those missions. As a fully operational human-occupied platform in microgravity, the International Space Station (ISS) presents a unique opportunity to act as a testbed for exploration-class ECLSS, such that these systems may be tested, proven, and refined for eventual deployment on deep space human exploration missions. This paper will provide an updated status on the testbed development including hardware and ISS vehicle integration progress to date as well as future plans for efforts to design, select, build, test and fly Exploration ECLSS on the ISS.

ECLSS↗

Gateway Integrated Environmental Control and Life Support System Overview and Status

The Gateway will be a lunar orbiting platform that is a critical element in establishing a sustainable, long-term human presence on the lunar surface and beyond to deep space exploration. As part of this mission, the Gateway Environmental Control and Life Support Subsystem (ECLSS), employs its capabilities to: - Support two to four-person crew expeditions for at least 30 days, approximately once every one to three years with extended periods of dormancy, - Provide life support functionality during nominal and contingency scenarios, - Support crew expeditions to the Lunar surface by providing a Habitable volume, from which staging, or preparation can take place for missions to the Lunar surface or to deep space destinations, and - Facilitate a platform to demonstrate the necessary capabilities to expand a sustainable human presence into Deep Space, including the surface of the Moon and Mars. The Gateway consists of an assembly of modules provided by commercial and international partnerships with varied capability that, together, achieve these objectives. The Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) and International Habitat (I-Hab) modules provide the air revitalization and conditioning capabilities for the Gateway with some ECLSS functionality provided in the other modules to support crew operations. This paper explains the architecture of the Gateway ECLSS and provides the status of its development.

Gateway↗

Analysis of CDC Bioreactor Internal Thermal Measurements and Sample Coupon Temperatures

The CDC Biofilm Reactor is an integral laboratory tool for the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) biofilm formation and growth research program. Critical to this research is the need to adjust and maintain various surface temperatures of the coupons housed within the CDC Biofilm Reactor. The purpose of this study was to provide quantitative temperature gradient information when the CDC Biofilm Reactor was operating according to several process scenarios. Two primary process parameters were evaluated. For the first set of test parameters, the liquid level was maintained at 350 mL, with an inlet flowrate of 0.1 mL/min, 1 mL/min, 10 mL/min. The liquid was allowed to gravity drain out of the outlet spout. For the second set of test parameters, the liquid level within the reactor was maintained at 550 mL, with an inlet flow of 0.1 mL/min, 1 mL/min, 10 mL/min and draining intermittently controlled to 0.8 mL/min to maintain the 550 mL level. Due to the placement of the thermocouple in the reactor, a difference in temperature occurred between the coupon surfaces and target biofilm reactor temperature when operated according to the first set of test parameters. When the reactor was operated according to the second set of parameters, which resulted in the thermocouple being submerged, the temperature gradient was eliminated. The results demonstrated minimal temperature gradient between the top and bottom coupon surfaces for coupons placed in a single rod within the CDC Biofilm Reactor for both sets of test parameters evaluated. The collection of this information helped to explain previous ECLSS biofilm formation test runs, along with providing guidance on best operating practices for future ECLSS experiments. The placement of the thermocouple also helps to explain the challenge of achieving and maintaining bulk liquid temperatures when biofilm is grown according to the standardized test methods.

CDC Bioreactor↗

International Space Station as a Testbed for Exploration Environmental Control and Life Support Systems - 2023 Status

Human exploration missions beyond low earth orbit, such as NASA’s Artemis Program, present significant challenges to spacecraft system design and supportability. A particularly challenging area is the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) that maintains a habitable and life-sustaining environment for crewmembers. NASA is utilizing the experience gained from its current and prior spaceflight programs to mature life support technologies for exploration missions to deep space. The intent is to establish a portfolio of life support system capabilities with proven performance and reliability to enable human exploration missions and reduce risk to success of those missions. As a fully operational human-occupied platform in microgravity, the International Space Station (ISS) presents a unique opportunity to act as a testbed for exploration-class ECLSS, such that these systems may be tested, proven, and refined for eventual deployment on deep space human exploration missions. This paper will provide an updated status on the testbed development including hardware and ISS vehicle integration progress to date as well as future plans for efforts to design, select, build, test and fly Exploration ECLSS on the ISS.

ECLSS↗

Analysis of CDC Bioreactor Internal Thermal Measurements and Sample Coupon Temperatures

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bioreactor is an integral laboratory tool for the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) biofilm formation and growth research program. Critical to this research is the need to adjust and maintain various surface temperatures of the coupons housed within the CDC Bioreactor. The purpose of this study was to provide quantitative temperature gradient information when the CDC Bioreactor was operating according to several process scenarios. Two primary process parameters were evaluated. For the first set of test parameters, the liquid level was maintained at 350 mL, with an inlet flowrate of 0.1 mL/min, 1 mL/min, 10 mL/min. The liquid was allowed to gravity drain out of the outlet spout. For the second set of test parameters, the liquid level within the reactor was maintained at 550 mL, with an inlet flow of 0.1 mL/min, 1 mL/min, 10 mL/min and draining intermittently controlled to 0.8 mL/min to maintain the 550 mL level. Due to the placement of the thermocouple in the reactor, a difference in temperature occurred between the coupon surfaces and target Bioreactor temperature when operated according to the first set of test parameters. When the reactor was operated according to the second set of parameters, which resulted in the thermocouple being submerged, the temperature gradient was eliminated. The results demonstrated minimal temperature gradient between the top and bottom coupon surfaces for coupons placed in a single rod within the CDC Bioreactor for both sets of test parameters evaluated. The collection of this information helped to explain previous ECLSS biofilm formation test runs, along with providing guidance on best operating practices for future ECLSS experiments. The placement of the thermocouple also helps to explain the challenge of achieving and maintaining bulk liquid temperatures when biofilm is grown according to the standardized test methods.

CDC Bioreactor↗

International Space Station as a Testbed for Exploration Environmental Control and Life Support Systems - 2024 Status

Human exploration missions beyond low earth orbit, such as NASA’s Artemis Program, present significant challenges to spacecraft system design and supportability. A particularly challenging area is the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) that maintains a habitable and life-sustaining environment for crewmembers. NASA is utilizing the experience gained from its current and prior spaceflight programs to mature life support technologies for exploration missions to deep space. The intent is to establish a portfolio of life support system capabilities with proven performance and reliability to enable human exploration missions and reduce risk to success of those missions. As a fully operational human-occupied platform in microgravity, the International Space Station (ISS) presents a unique opportunity to act as a testbed for exploration-class ECLSS, such that these systems may be tested, proven, and refined for eventual deployment on deep space human exploration missions. This paper will provide an updated status on the testbed development including hardware and ISS vehicle integration progress to date as well as future plans for efforts to design, select, build, test and fly Exploration ECLSS on the ISS.

ECLSS↗

International Space Station as a Testbed for Exploration Environmental Control and Life Support Systems – 2024 Status

Human exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit, such as NASA’s Artemis Program, present significant challenges to spacecraft system design and supportability. A particularly challenging area is the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) that maintains a habitable and life-sustaining environment for crewmembers. NASA is utilizing the experience gained from its current and prior spaceflight programs to mature life support technologies for exploration missions to deep space. The intent is to establish a portfolio of life support system capabilities with proven performance and reliability to enable human exploration missions and reduce risk to success of those missions. As a fully operational human-occupied platform in microgravity, the International Space Station (ISS) presents a unique opportunity to act as a testbed for exploration-class ECLSS, such that these systems may be tested, proven, and refined for eventual deployment on deep space human exploration missions. This paper will provide an updated status on the testbed development, including hardware and ISS vehicle integration progress to date, as well as future plans for efforts to design, select, build, test, and fly Exploration ECLSS on the ISS.

ECLSS↗

RAM environment control and life support subsystem.

The Research and Application Modules (RAMs) are shuttle payloads designed to provide economical manned facilities for earth orbital research and development. Support of the habitable environment in the sortie class RAMs can be accomplished by an independent ECLSS installation or by integration with the shuttle ECLSS. The RAM study evaluated advantages and disadvantages of various degrees of the two alternative installations. Selection of the optimum subsystem was made from an overall shuttle/RAM standpoint. These trade studies are presented and the resulting ECLSS support concept are discussed.

Arras, R. P.↗

Space construction base support requirements for environmental control and life support systems

A Space Station analysis study is being performed for NASA which identifies cost-effective Space Station options that can provide a space facility capable of performing space construction, space manufacturing, cosmological research, earth services, and other functions. A space construction base concept for the construction of large structures, such as those needed to implement satellite solar power for earth usage, will be used as a basis for discussing requirements that impact the design selection, level of integration, and operation of environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS). The space construction base configuration also provides a basic Space Station facility that can accommodate biological manufacturing modules, ultrapure glasses manufacturing modules, and modules for other services in a building-block fashion. Examples of special problems that could dictate hardware required to augment the basic ECLSS for autonomous modules will be highlighted. Additionally, overall intravehicular (IVA) and extravehicular (EVA) activities and requirements that could impact the basic station ECLSS degree of closure are discussed.

Thiele, R. J.↗