A Tailored Life Support System for the Single Person Spacecraft

Abstract

Equipped with integral propulsion and manipulators, the Single-Person Spacecraft (SPS) is designed for the inspection, servicing, and repair of exploration and commercial spacecraft during operational missions. No airlock is required and because the SPS operates at the same cabin atmosphere as the host spacecraft, there is no lengthy pre-breathing of pure oxygen or risk of the bends. The SPS is shaped around the weightless neutral body posture providing an excellent field-of-view with internal displays and controls for efficient flight and task operations. Essential Life Support and Thermal Control functionality is provided by the spacecraft’s Air Management System(AMS). The SPS AMS is responsible for maintaining a safe and comfortable atmosphere for a single occupant during all phases of spacecraft operations (including contingency operations). Primary subsystems include Absolute Pressure Control, Air Revitalization, Fire Detection and Suppression, Active Thermal Control, and Instrumentation. This paper identifies driving requirements and provides an overview of the recently completed Air Management System conceptual design.