Space Station Live: Environmental Control and Life Support System

Summary

The script discusses the evolution of life support systems on the Space Station since 1985, detailing the current regenerative system that recycles air and water for six crew members. It highlights the challenges of managing air and water in a closed environment, including carbon dioxide removal and waste management. The script also mentions the commercial application of the water processing technology for global disaster relief. The focus is on improving the system's reliability and efficiency for future space missions beyond Earth's orbit, aiming to demonstrate a Mars-like life support system on the Space Station.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The speaker's career began in 1985, working on the Space Station project in its early phases.
• 🌌 The Space Station has a fully operational regenerative life support system that recycles air and water for its crew.
• 🌳 Earth relies on plants for carbon dioxide removal and oxygen production, but the Space Station uses chemical equipment for these processes.
• 🌡️ The life support system also manages temperature and humidity, similar to an air conditioner.
• 💧 Water management on the Space Station includes processing waste such as urine and sweat, and recycling humidity into clean drinking water.
• 🚽 Solid waste management, including toilet systems, is also a critical part of the life support system.
• 🔥 Emergency equipment like fire detection and suppression, as well as atmosphere and water monitoring, are essential components of the system.
• 🦠 Iodine is used to control microbial populations in the water, with a specially developed resin releasing iodine for this purpose.
• 🌐 The iodine resin technology was initially developed for the shuttle and has been commercialized for global use in filtration systems.
• 🔍 The speaker emphasizes the need for more reliable systems for future long-duration missions, where resupply from Earth will not be feasible.
• 🌟 The goal is to demonstrate the Mars-like life support system on the Space Station by the end of the Space Station Live program.

Q & A

When did the speaker start working with Space Station projects?

The speaker started working with Space Station projects in 1985, during Phase B.

What is the current status of the life support system on the Space Station?

The life support system on the Space Station is operational and regenerative, supporting six crew members by recycling air and water.

What is the role of chemical equipment in the Space Station's life support system?

The chemical equipment is used to remove carbon dioxide from the air and replace it with oxygen for the crew to breathe.

How does the Space Station manage carbon dioxide and oxygen levels?

The Space Station uses chemical equipment to remove carbon dioxide and relies on the chemical release of oxygen to maintain breathable air for the crew.

What is the purpose of the iodine in the water processing system?

Iodine is used to control the microbial population in the product water, ensuring the water is safe for the crew to drink.

How is the humidity from the air on the Space Station managed?

Humidity is removed from the air and recycled, turning it into clean drinking water.

What is the significance of the resin used in the water processor?

The specially developed resin is used to impart iodine into the water, which helps control microbial growth and was initially developed for shuttle use.

How has the technology from the Space Station's water processor been applied commercially?

The technology has been licensed to a commercial company that has adapted it for ground-based filtration systems used in villages and for disaster relief applications globally.

What are the challenges for life support systems in future long-duration missions?

The challenges include making the systems more reliable, reducing complexity, and increasing the efficiency of recycling to minimize the need for resupply from Earth.

Why is the Space Station an ideal platform for testing life support systems?

The Space Station is an ideal platform because it allows for real-world testing of systems in a space environment, providing valuable data for improving and evolving the technology for future missions.

What is the speaker's goal regarding the demonstration of Mars life support systems on the Space Station?

The speaker's goal is to demonstrate the Mars life support system on the Space Station by the end of the Space Station Live, showcasing the system intended for future missions.