International Space Station as a Testbed for Exploration Environmental Control and Life Support Systems - 2020 Status

Date

2020-07-31

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

Human exploration missions beyond low earth orbit present significant challenges to spacecraft system design and supportability. A particularly challenging area is the Environmental Control and Life Support System 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 presents a unique opportunity to act as a testbed for exploration-class Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, 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 Environmental Control and Life Support Systems on the International Space Station.

Description

Laura Shaw, National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Johnson Space Center (NASA/JSC), USA
John Garr, National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Johnson Space Center (NASA/JSC), USA
Lynda Gavin, National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Johnson Space Center (NASA/JSC), USA
Christopher Matty, National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Johnson Space Center (NASA/JSC), USA
Alesha Ridley, National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Johnson Space Center (NASA/JSC), USA
Michael Salopek, National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Johnson Space Center (NASA/JSC), USA
Katherine Toon, National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Johnson Space Center (NASA/JSC), USA
ICES506: Human Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit: Missions and Technologies
The proceedings for the 2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems were published from July 31, 2020. The technical papers were not presented in person due to the inability to hold the event as scheduled in Lisbon, Portugal because of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Keywords

Exploration, Life Support Systems, Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, International Space Station (ISS), Testbed, Deep Space, Integration

Citation