Scaled Automated Pressure Regulation System for Analog Moon and Mars Habitat

Date

7/12/2021

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

50th International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

As humans look to travel off-world, sealed habitats will be essential for life support in long-duration missions. Previous closed ecosystem experiments have ranged from closed-loop habitats sustaining a single individual (NASA�s Biohome) to large scale self-contained systems designed to support a full crew (Biosphere 2, Lunar Palace 1).

To date, human-in-the-loop, closed ecosystem studies have focused on either mechanical life support or bio regeneration for extended space missions. The Space Analog for the Moon and Mars (SAM) at Biosphere 2 aims to meld these two approaches. SAM will consist of the historic Test Module greenhouse connected to a crew quarters and airlocks, surrounded by a simulated Mars yard.

Any sealed chamber must be prepared for potential interior cabin pressure loss and be able to compensate for changing external pressures where an external atmosphere exists, especially in the case of inflatables. The Test Module includes an existing analog pressure regulating system. The added crew quarters will require an independent pressure regulating system. A team of six engineering students at the University of Arizona is working with the executive team at SAM and Biosphere 2 to design and prototype the Automated Pressure Regulation System (APRS) for the SAM crew quarters. The goal of the system is to maintain a positive pressure in relation to the outside environment, preventing potential biocontaminants from entering. The APRS is a semi-closed system, drawing from an internal air source and external air resupply. To verify the APRS design, a 1:10 scaled model of the overall system and crew quarters are being constructed.

The APRS consists of four subsystems: a compressor system, scaled crew quarter module with a utility wall, sensor subassembly, and GUI subassembly. This paper will discuss the overall mechanical system, software design, and test validation procedures proposed for the APRS.

Description

Meghan Marlowe, University of Arizona
Ahmed Alraeesi, University of Arizona
Gustavo Aguilar Velez, University of Arizona
James Marlar, University of Arizona
Arfan Wibisono, University of Arizona
Coby Scheidemantel, University of Arizona
Kai Staats, Over The Sun
John Adams, Biosphere 2 / University of Arizona
ICES305: Environmental and Thermal Control of Commercial and Exploration Spacecraft
The 50th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held virtually on 12 July 2021 through 14 July 2021.

Keywords

habitat, mars, research station, biosphere 2, automated pressure regulation system, hermetically sealed, crew quarters, automated pressure regulating system

Citation