Environmental control/life support

Abstract

It is pointed out that the life support systems technology used on projects Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle required an employment of expendables. Skylab was the only manned space project which made use of regenerable life support technology, taking into account the employment of a silica gel/molecular sieve for carbon dioxide removal. A number of investigations indicate that significant launch weight and volume as well as recurring cost savings can be realized by using regenerative life support processes for a Space Station. A number of developed regenerative processes are believed to be applicable to a Space Station. Aspects of air revitalization are discussed, taking into account carbon dioxide reduction, oxygen generation, trace contaminant control, temperature and humidity control, instrumentation, and nitrogen supply. Attention is also given to water reclamation, solid waste treatment, and future development and testing programs.