Performance Review of a Pressurized Inflatable Lunar Habitat Integrated with an Electric Rover and Pressurized Analog Planetary Suits during an Initial Ten Day Simulation

Date

2014-07-13

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44th International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

This paper provides a review of the first ten day human simulation with an integrated inflatable habitat system developed at the University of North Dakota’s Human Spaceflight Laboratory. This system is composed by an electric rover and pressurized planetary exploration suits to better facilitate Extra Vehicular Activities (EVA). Integration of a habitat with EVA components increases efficiency, provides protection from external environmental factors (thermal variation, dust, weather, etc.), maintains the internal environment and has been designed to provide living space for a crew of four for a mission duration of 30 days. The LMAH’s integrated design helps to expedite EVAs and sample processing by decreasing the overall preparation time needed prior to EVAs. Over a ten day study this system functions successfully with only minor habitability issues to be corrected prior to the next simulation. Based on the initial success another mission is in preparation and is expected to be a thirty day simulation with four crew members.

Description

Tucson, Arizona
Tiffany M. Swarmer, Department of Space Studies, University of North Dakota, USA
Lindsay Anderson, Department of Space Studies, University of North Dakota, USA
Pablo de León, Department of Space Studies, University of North Dakota, USA
The 44th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Tuscon, Arizona, USA on 13 July 2014 through 17 July 2014.

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