Ground Test Validations for Uncrewed Dormancy Preparation and Recovery

In future long-duration space flight and habitation missions, periods of uncrewed dormancy where life support systems are shutdown or in low power modes will occur. To examine the impacts of these dormant periods in water recycling systems, along with potential pre- and post-dormancy procedures, Marshall Space Flight Center has been building up an uncrewed dormancy test stand. The uncrewed dormancy test stand will include a urine separator from the Universal Waste Management System, a condensate separator, urine filter, brine filter and distillate filter. In conjunction to the test stand, the Center for Biofilm Engineering has been comparing effects of simulated shutdown procedures on microbial survival and material compatibility during dormancy and regrowth when systems resume operation. This publication will serve as an update on the test stand construction, including a description of the current lower fidelity versions of the urine and condensate separators being produced. It will also examine dormancy work being conducted by CBE and discuss how this may factor into procedures tested on the uncrewed dormancy test stand.