If resources are limited, then you have to work with what is, especially in the harsh conditions of outer space. Of course, cargo ships are regularly sent to the ISS with deliveries, but for long missions, self-sufficiency is important. Therefore, we will have to recycle and reuse precious resources, among which and oxygen.
Fresh air
Now scientists are actively studied as photosynthesis (the transformation process of light by the body into energy with a by-product in the form of oxygen) is carried out in space. To do this, they took the microalgae arthrospira (spirulin) and immersed in a photobioreactor (cylinder filled with light). At the station, carbon dioxide through photosynthesis will switch to oxygen and edible biomass (proteins).
We know how this happens on earthly conditions, but it is important to test the process in space. The experiment is going to spend within a month when the amount of oxygen from algae will change sufficiently.
After returning to the Earth, the microalgae will analyze in April 2018. Genetic information It will be possible to obtain a clearer picture of the effect of weightlessness and radiation on the plant cell. It is known that Arthrospira is endowed with high resistance to radiation, but it is necessary to check its maximum abilities.
The project is part of the Melissa program (alternative livelihood system). She is responsible for many research and educational events, such as the Astroplant project - collects information about the growth of plants in different parts of the Earth.
Followed by the URINISS project, studying urine recirculation to create gas nitrogen, energy, potential nutrients For vegetation and water.
"Previous space missions - Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, took with them all the necessary stocks of water and oxygen and dumped liquid and gaseous waste into space, "explains Robert Bagdigian (Robert Bagdigian) from the center of Marshall. In short, the life support systems of astronauts were "open" - they relied on support from the Earth, which is partially true today for international space station (ISS).
However, for long missions, or makes sense to close the system - that is, recycled air and dirty water, instead of throwing them away. In the near future, the ISS will test such a regeneration system. Project Name - Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (Environmental Control and Life Support Systems), more famous for ECLSS abbreviation. Robert Bagdizhen is the head of this project.
ECLSS Water Regeneration System
"Russians ahead of us in this area," says Robyn CarraSquillo, technical manager of the ECLSS project, - More Salute and World spacecraft were able to condense moisture from the air and used electrolysis - transmission electric current Through water - for the production of oxygen. " The ECLSS system developed in the NASA will be launched on the ISS in 2008 and will go on the regeneration matters even further - it is able to receive drinking water not only from evaporation, but also from urine.
The process of restoring water from urine is a complex technical problem: "Urine is much" dirtier "of water evaporation," explains Karrasillo, "she can bother metal parts and clog the pipes." The ECLSS system uses a process to purify the urine, called parokompression distillation: urine is boiled until water from it becomes a pair. Couples - naturally purified water in a vapor state (except for the traces of ammonia and other gases) - rises to the distillation chamber, leaving the concentrated brown alive of uncleanness and salts, which Karrasquilly challengesly calls "brine" (which is then thrown into open space). The pair is cooled, and water is condensed. The resulting distillate is mixed with moisture condensed air and filtered to a condition suitable for drinking. The ECLSS system is able to restore 100% of the moisture from the air and 85% water from the urine, which corresponds to the total efficiency of about 93%.
The above described above, refers to the operation of the system on earthly conditions. Additional complexity appears in space - steam does not rise up: it is not capable of climbing the distillation chamber. Therefore, in the ECLSS model for the ISS "... We rotate the distillation system to create artificial gravity to divide the pairs and brines," explains Karrasilla.
Moreover, in microgravity spacecraft Human hair, skin particles, fluff and other impurities weighted in the air and do not fall on the floor. In this regard, an impressive filtering system is necessary. At the end of the cleaning process, Iodine is added to the water to slow down the growth of microbes (chlorine used for water purification on Earth is too chemically active and is dangerous for storage in space).
The system of regenerative water recovery for the ISS, having a weight of about one and a half tons, will be "... produce a half-dollar water per hour, which is more than the needs of the team of three people, - claims Karrasillo, - this will allow the Space Station to continuously maintain the life of six astronauts." The system is designed to produce drinking water "... whose purity standards are higher than most municipal water supply systems on Earth," added Bagdizhihan.
In addition to the production of drinking water for the crew, the water recovery system will supply the other part of ECLSS: the oxygen generation system (OXYGEN Generation System, OGS). The principle of operation OGS - electrolysis. Water molecules are split into oxygen necessary for breathing, and hydrogen, which is derived from the spacecraft. "The cycle of air production requires enough clean waterSo that electrolysis cameras do not clogging, "Bagdizhen emphasizes.
"Regeneration is much more effective than the replenishment of the station reserves from the Earth," said Carrasillo, especially after the exploitation of shuttles in 2010 will end. The replenishment of 93% of dirty water is impressive, however, for multi-month and perennial missions to the Moon and Mars, the subsequent versions of the ECLSS system should achieve efficiency close to 100%. In this case, astronauts will be ready for survival in the conditions of our dune.
What smells in open space?
It is impossible to feel the smell in open space, and a few things interfere with this at once. First, the smell create molecules highlighted by some odorous substance. But in space emptiness, and therefore, there are no odorous substances, no molecules that create the smell, there is just nothing to smell. Secondly, all normal people Will be in open space in hermetic scaffle, which means that nothing "cosmic" human nose will not inhale. But at the space station, where the cosmonauts of odors are inhabited.
What smells like a space station?
When astronauts fall to the station and remove the Skafandra helmet, they feel a special smell. The smell is very sharp and strange. It is said that he is like the smell of an old dried piece of roasted meat. However, in this aroma, there is still a smell of split metal and welding Gary. Cosmonauts are surprisingly unanimous in the use of "meat-metal" terms when describing the smell at the International Space Station. Sometimes, however, some add, which often smells of ozone and something sour, a little caustic.
Where does this smell come from?
Imagine how the air supply is arranged at the station, and you will immediately find an answer to this question. On the ISS it is impossible to open the window to air the room and let the fresh air outside: there is simply no air. The respiratory mixture is brought from the ground every few months, so people breathe at the station with the same air that is cleaned with special filters. These filters are certainly not perfect, so some odors remain.
Our cosmonauts compare the station with a residential house, which can smell like anything. It smells like "House": materials of the trim and details of the devices. People live in the "house", therefore, besides these technical smells, the stations are present at the station, earthly smells are present: for example, such as flavor of borsch or a solicky. When someone from astronauts is going to have lunch, he will not work out this alone. The rest will know about it, even being in the other end of the station. Smells at the stations are distributed very quickly, since the air is constantly mixed by the fan system. It is necessary that the cloud of carbon dioxide exhaled around the astronauts does not accumulate. If the air does not stir, the carbon dioxide level will increase around the astronaut, and the person will feel worse and worse.
We all know that everyone perceives odors in its own way: some aromas, beloved by one crew members, can cause other rejection and allergies, therefore a list of products that can be taken with them, is strictly regulated. However, some people always resist even the most reasonable prohibitions, such as American astronaut John Young, in 1965 taking on board a sandwich ship with ham. The crew members first estimated a sharp annoying smell of ham, and then a few bread crumbs collected for a long time, scattered around the ship and a miracle did not damage the equipment. Cosmonauts - people are very brought up, so no one learned what they thought, collecting these crumbs.
When you arrive at the station, in addition to technical and "edible" odors, you will also feel the caustic smell of the human sweat and the exfoliating natural way. The smell of sweat makes us and on earthly conditions, and in space a person sweats even stronger. So, with serious loads, the astronauts can lose about two kilograms of weight and, as you understand, hard to stand. Add to this the fact that there is no shower on the ISS, and wet wipes and towels are used for washing cosmonauts. In order not to mix additional smells into the atmosphere of the station, special hygiene products that have a weak smell are provided on the ISS, and any perfume is strictly prohibited. Read more about how astronauts are clean, you can read here.
Who follows the "cosmic aroma"?
The creation of a comfortable atmosphere for astronauts is the task, in terms of its importance is not inferior to the task of ensuring flight safety. Outsiders are extracted from the atmosphere with special absorbers, but it is impossible to completely get rid of the "aromas". Therefore, when preparing the flight, the materials are carefully selected, of which the interior of the spacecraft is built, and things allowed aboard. For example, the NASA has a team of experts, in a joke called themselves "Nosonasts", which "sniff" everything will be present on board the ship: plastics, metals, replaceable linen, scientific instruments, hygienic accessories, sneakers and even a toy that an astronautically wanted Take a flight at the request of a little son. Today, the human nose is the best device to imagine how things will smell in space. Scientists of many countries work on the problem of creating devices that perceive smells. But so far no device can be compared with the sense of dog or (who could have thought) wasps. But the dogs, and even more so the wasp - the creatures are not surrender and therefore cannot tell us how one or another item smells. So you have to carry out a snuff for trained people. So, if you invent the way a way to catch smells is well, then, perhaps, forever enter the story as a great inventor. And until then, things sent to space will sniff people, making it blindfolded. Eyes are tied to appearance The subject, did not affect the perception of the smell of man. Sometimes because of the rush, the tests on the smell do not have time to spend, and then the crew on board the ship is waiting for all sorts of surprises. For example, astronauts had to return a bag with unverified clasters on board the shuttle, since they smelled, "like the fingers of the cook, cutting onions."
In Russia, atmosphere spacecraft Engaged at the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems. Even at the design stage of the spacecraft, experts check all non-metallic materials in hermetic chambers for the presence of a pronounced smell. If there is such a smell, the material is selected. the main task specialists - so that there are as few smelling substances as possible at the station; All that is taken into orbit is strictly selected by the criterion for ensuring air purity. Therefore, unfortunately, your own preferences of the crew members regarding the stots at the station are not taken into account. Cosmonauts say that most miss the smells of the earth: the smell of rain, leaves, apples. However, sometimes strict orbital specialists still make gifts to astronauts: the mandarins and twig of a spree before the new year, so that the wonderful aroma of the holiday was felt at the station.
Publications of employees NIIHIMMASH JSC
Regeneration of water and atmosphere at the space station: Experience of Salute orbital stations, "Peace" and ISS, development prospects
LSBOBE, L.I. Gavrilov, A.A. Kochetkov, E.A. Kurmazenko (JSC "NIIHIMMASH"), P.O. Trejichuk, A.A.Selenchukov, S.Yu.romanov (NGO " Energy "), Yu.E.Sinak (ISBP RAS). Report at the conference IAC-10.A1.6.6., 10/27/2010
abstract
Based on the analysis of the experience of operating the Russian space stations "Salute", "Peace" and the International Space Station of the ISS, data on the balance of water and oxygen at the station, parameters of operation and characteristics of water regeneration systems and the atmosphere are presented. Based on this data, a project analysis of the complex of regenerative life support systems for the space station in the orbit of the Moon was carried out. The proposed complex of physicochemical systems of life support includes: a comprehensive system of water regeneration from the condensate of atmospheric moisture, from the condensate of vitamin greenhouse and water from the carbon dioxide utilization system; water regeneration system from urin; Regeneration system of sanitary-hygienic water; oxygen regeneration system based on water electrolysis; The system for cleaning the atmosphere from the microprine; The system of cleaning the atmosphere from carbon dioxide and its concentration and carbon dioxide processing system; The system of stock of water, oxygen and nitrogen. The starting mass of life support systems (including zip, backup equipment, equivalent to the mass of electricity consumption and heat reset) is acceptable for the lunar orbital station. The obligatory stage of testing new processes and water regeneration systems and the atmosphere for promising missions is their tests on the ISS.Introduction
The implementation of promising orbital and interplanetary flights is associated with the improvement of the livelihood systems (SZGO) of the crew. These systems should maximize the extraction and regeneration of water from water-containing human life and biotechnical products, to carry out electrolysis obtaining oxygen from regenerated water, clean the atmosphere from carbon dioxide and other impurities, convert carbon dioxide to obtain water; Ensure the needs of the crew in water and oxygen with the minimum addition of these substances from stocks.
Sources of water and oxygen on board the station are human life products: sweat and exhaled moisture collected in the air conditioning system of the atmosphere (condensate atmospheric moisture); urine; carbon dioxide; moisture, evaporated with plants; Sanitary and hygienic water, as well as water allocated technical systems, for example, fuel elements of an electrochemical generator.
Because of the energy, volumetric and massive restrictions at the space station, and in the near future, physico-chemical processes will be used in the nearest perspective in water regeneration systems. The use of biological processes and reproduction of food are tasks of the future and most likely will be implemented on planetary bases.
Experience in the life support systems of Russian orbital space stations (OX) "Salute" and "Peace" and the International Space Station of the ISS, based on the regeneration of water and the atmosphere with partial use of water and oxygen from the delivered reserves, allowed us to obtain data on the balance of water and oxygen on cosmic Stations and parameters of the operation of regeneration systems. The use of these data allows to carry out a project analysis of life support systems for promising, including for interplanetary, space stations.
The present report examined systems based on physicochemical processes. It is assumed that the vitamin greenhouse will also be included in the SLC complex. The degree of return (regeneration) of substances is considered based on the water balance used for consumption, the production of electrolysis oxygen and other needs.
Experience in the development and operation of water regeneration systems and the atmosphere. Ground tests in the composition of a lot of life support systems.
In 1967-1968 A complex of physicochemical regeneration systems for the life support systems of RSZHO NLK was tested in the ICPP, equipped with systems developed and manufactured by Niichimmash. . The structural diagram of the RSZHO NLK complex is presented in Fig. 1 (option A). Physico-chemical regeneration systems during the year ensured the livelihood of the crew of three people who were in the sealed layout of the interplanetary ship. The complex of water regeneration systems from the condensate of atmospheric moisture, urins and sanitary-hygienic water worked; Electrolysis system for oxygen from regenerated water; The system for cleaning the atmosphere from the microprine; atmospheric cleaning systems from carbon dioxide and concentration; The system of utilization of carbon dioxide by its decomposition on water and methane by the method of sabat. It was experimentally confirmed by the principal possibility of long-term regenerative livelihoods, a person located in a closed limited space.Based on these studies and further work on the creation and operation of flight systems, the main methods of water regeneration and the atmosphere were formed. The following methods are currently being implemented. For the regeneration of water from the condensate of atmospheric moisture uses a sorption-catalytic method with subsequent mineralization, silver conservation and purified water pasteurization. Removing water from urine is carried out by distillation with sorption-catalytic distillate cleaning.
The regeneration of sanitary and hygienic water is made by filtration with subsequent sorption treatment. Oxygen production is performed by electrolysis aquatic solution Schedule using water regenerated from urin. The cleaning of the atmosphere from the micro-sends is carried out by the sorption-catalytic method on the regenerated sorbents. Cleaning from carbon dioxide by sorption on regenerated sorbents with its concentration in the regeneration of sorbents. Recycling of carbon dioxide by hydrogenation by hydrogen by the sub-saber reaction to obtain water and methane. To implement these methods, a small-sized equipment is developed, operational in conditions space Flight. It should be noted that the equipment should be noted for the processes of hydrodynamics and heat-mass exchange in gas-liquid media under weightlessness.
Fig.1. Structural scheme of a complex of regenerative life support systems of the space station.
A. Ground complex RSZHO NLK: All systems presented in the picture.
B. RSC complex OX "Mir": Positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17.
C. RSZHO MKS complex: Positions 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17.
D. RSZHO complex of a promising station: All systems presented in the picture.
Regeneration of water from condensate atmospheric moisture at Salute stations
For use in the flight, the water regeneration systems from the condensate of atmospheric moisture of the SRV-K for long-term orbital stations "Salyut" were originally developed. In January 1975, for the first time in the global practice of piloted flights, the crew of the Salute-4 space station as part of A.A. Gubareva and G.M. Buckwheat used water regenerated water for drinking and cooking and drinks. The system worked during the entire piloted flight station. Similar systems of type SRV-K worked at Salute-6 stations (1977-1981g. - 570 days) and "Salute-7" (1982-1986 - 743 days). The SRV-K system together with the system of stocks provided the station with water and along with the function of regeneration carried out water purification with expired reserves, heated water of stocks and receiving hot water For sanitary and hygienic procedures.Life support crews of the Space Station "Peace"
In the Orbital Space Station, the OKS "Mir" for the first time in world practice was implemented almost complete (with the exception of the system of concentration and disposal of carbon dioxide), a complex of physicochemical systems of water and atmospheric regeneration systems, which largely ensured the long and efficient functioning of the station in manned mode. Structural diagram of life support is presented in Figure 1 (option B). The regeneration of water from condensate atmospheric moisture, urins and sanitary-hygienic water was carried out in separate systems, and breathing oxygen was obtained by the electrolysis of water, regenerated from urin. Cleaning the atmosphere from the microprine was carried out in the SEA-MP system; Cleaning the atmosphere from carbon dioxide was carried out in the air system. The water of stocks were delivered to the station "Progress" by cargo ships in the tanks of the Spring system and the capacles are still. After the start of Russian-American cooperation, the water formed in the fuel cells of the Shattl spacecraft was transferred to the Mir station for drinking and producing electrolysis oxygen. Regeneration systems ensured high-quality water and oxygen and purity of the atmosphere throughout the station. Some characteristics of the systems are presented in Table 1. The SRV-K system worked in the base module the entire period of the pilot flight from 03/16/86 to August 27, 1996; SPK-y systems, SRV-y and Soa MP worked in the Kvant 2 module from January 16, 1990 to 08/26/99; The electron-in-in system worked alternately in the modules "Quantum 1" and "Quantum 2" the entire period of flight, the system "air" worked in the Kvant 1 module from April 1987 to the end of the flight, the SRV-SG system worked briefly only for Confirmability.
As can be seen, the mass agents in the regeneration of water and the atmosphere is significantly lower than the mass agents when it is delivered to the space station. The specific consumption of mass in the regeneration of water from the condensate of atmospheric moisture and for obtaining oxygen was 0.14 kg of mass of the system by 1 kg of the resulting water or oxygen. The specific consumption of the mass during the purification of the atmosphere from carbon dioxide was 0.08 kg of the mass of the system by 1 kg of removed from 2.
Massagents for delivery of 1 kg of water are taking into account the mass of containers - 1.25 kg / l H 2 O; When the oxygen delivery is 2.8 kg / kg O 2 and 2.1 kg / kg of CO 2 when the consumable materials are delivered to clean the atmosphere from CO 2 irregenerated absorbers. In the course of operation of the station "Peace" due to the operation of the regeneration systems, saving of goods delivered 58650 kg. It should also be noted a uniquely small energy costs, especially in water regeneration systems of the SRV-K and SRV-SG type: 2 WPC / L of water and 8 VTCH / L of water, respectively.
Life support crews of the International Space Station of the ISS
A similar range of life support (Fig. 1, option C), including systems for concentrating and disposal of carbon dioxide and vitamin greenhouse and water regeneration from these systems, was assumed to be transferred to the International Space Station of the ISS. Currently, as part of the service module, the cm operate advanced water regeneration systems from condensate atmospheric moisture of SRV-K2M, reception and preservation of Urin SPK-Mind (1st part of the water regeneration system from urin), electrolysis obtaining oxygen "Electr-VM", cleaning From microprines of soa-MP and purification from carbon dioxide "Air".
The characteristics of improved systems are much better than that of systems worked at the Mir station. Significantly increased system performance, mass and energy consumption are reduced. The performance of the electron-VM system is increased compared to the electron-B system 2 times and amounts to 160 NL 2 per hour (to provide 6 people). The system for cleaning the microprine, initially included the regenerated adsorber of the UPL, was irregenerated by the PKF adsorber and low-temperature catalytic catalytic filter, was introduced from October 24, 2003. High-temperature catalytic PCF-T filter, providing periodic high-temperature catalytic cleaning of the atmosphere from methane. In SRV-K2M and Electr-VM systems, the specific costs of mass on obtaining (absorption) of the target product decreased, 1.5 - 2 times to 0.08 kg / kg and 0.07 kg / kg, respectively. The main characteristics of the operation of water regeneration systems at the International Space Station of the ISS from 2.11.00. (Beginning of the pilot flight) of 1.06.10. shown in Table 2. In the SRV-K2M system, 12970 liters of atmospheric moisture condenses are regenerated before drinking condition, which is 63% of the drinking water consumption and 44% of the total water flow at the station. In the electronic VM and air systems, 5835 kg of oxygen were obtained and 10,250 kg of carbon dioxide were absorbed. The operation of systems allowed to save more than 50,000 kg of weight of water and equipment delivery, i.e. Several starts of the Progress Cargo Ships.
Notes. * - decoding in the list of symbols and abbreviations; ** taking into account water heating; *** - water consumption reserves -16660 l, total water consumption at the station - 29630l, **** - for 6 people.
The efficiency of the SLC complex can be significantly improved by increasing its closetness. For the period under review, 15,300 liters of urine with flush water were collected and removed on the Russian segment of the ISS. When the water extraction factor is 0.9, the amount of water regenerated into the SRV would be 13,770 liters with its own weight of the system of 15% of the mass of the waters. 10,250 kg of carbon dioxide were collected and removed on the ISS. In the system of carbon dioxide processing, the sub-sabeth could be obtained using hydrogen from the electronic VM system, about 4610 liters of water. Obtaining on board an additional 18380 liters of water practically provides the balance of the station on water and oxygen. Thus, one of the priority directions of the development of the Russian segment of the ISS and promising stations is the introduction of water regeneration systems from urins and systems of concentration and processing of carbon dioxide. This will reduce the mass of water delivery, increase the reliability of water supply and autonomy of the station flight, while expanding the possibilities of delivery of scientific equipment.
Water quality and atmosphere
Currently gained extensive experience in assessing the quality of regenerated water and stock water. At the end of each expedition, when visiting expeditions and with joint flights with ships "Shuttle" was selected and delivered to the land of samples of condensate atmospheric moisture, regenerated water and water from the stock system. Table 3 shows the generalized data for the entire period under consideration of the MKS flight. As can be seen, despite the relatively high content of organic impurities in condensate, regenerated water fully satisfies the standards. Drinking water Stocks retains its composition and meets all requirements of standards. Periodically conducted by American astronauts directly on board the station, bacteriological analyzes have shown that in regenerated water and in water reserves of the microflora is practically absent. The given data convincingly confirms the chemical and bacteriological safety of water at the space station. The content of impurities in the station atmosphere does not exceed the standards. The content of basic impurities in electrolysis oxygen is given in Table 4. As can be seen, the quality of oxygen fully satisfies the requirements.
Prospects for the development of a set of regeneration systems of life support
Based on the experience of the development and operation of water regeneration systems and the atmosphere, the report examines the promising physicochemical system of the regenerative life support of the interplanetary station. Consider as an example regenerative life support of the space station on a lunar orbit with a crew of up to 4 people. Delivery of goods to such a station is extremely difficult, therefore, the complex of regeneration SLCs is optimal for this purpose. The complex is presented in Fig. 1 (option d) and includes all the physico-chemical systems of regeneration, sanitary and hygienic equipment and a vitamin greenhouse with a lighted area of \u200b\u200b0.4 m². Food reserves are used containing 0.6 kg per person per day dry matter and 0.5 kg per person per day of water. The technical balance of water is given in Table 5. The first column in the right and left part of the table refers to the structure of the ISS SLC with minimal needs in water. Column 2 takes into account the need for water vitamin greenhouse and in water for washing and washing. Column 1.2 characterizes the first stage of the development of the SLC with the introduction of the water regeneration system from urin and concentration and processing systems of CO 2 (according to the Sabat method). Column 2 characterizes the second stage of the development of the SLC with the introduction of sanitary and hygienic equipment, vitamin greenhouses and the corresponding water regeneration systems. The estimated calculation of the mass and power consumption of the SZhO complex for this variant is presented in Table 6. Based on the analysis of the possibilities of increasing the resource of blocks and equipment of regeneration systems, the specific mass costs per 1 kg of the produced product are reduced to the values \u200b\u200bgiven in the table. The system load is accepted on the basis of the balance sheet of the substances in Table 5.
Consumption, allocation and possibility of returning substances at the space station (for the 1st astronaut per day)
Water loss and atmospheric and nitrogen consumption for purging the electron-VM capsules, the exact values \u200b\u200bof which are not known were not taken into account. Also not taken into account the flow of water and atmosphere for spaces. The specific masses of the flow of water delivered 1.3 kg / kg H 2 O, oxygen - 3 kg / kg o 2. Emergency reserves were accepted and 90 days from the calculation of oxygen and nitrogen needs (5 kg / person) and water (4 kg / person). American data on mass mittens on power supply and heat dissipation in the thermal regime system: 230 kg / kW and 146 kg / kW, respectively. It was assumed that the amount of velocked heat is equivalent to the cost of electrical energy, the total account of 0.4 kg / W. When calculating the power consumption of SRV-K and SRV-SG systems, water heating costs were taken into account. It should be emphasized once again that in accordance with the reference of the report, the costs of mass and energy on the regeneration of water and the atmosphere were considered. Other Life Cost Life Support Articles: Air Conditioning, Food, Sanitary and Hygienic and Medical Equipment, Systems for Extra Refine Activity, etc. Not considered.
The estimated consumption of mass and energy for staying 4 people in the lunar orbit during the year amounted to:
- on the regeneration of water and water supply of 2810 kg of equipment and water reserves and 280 W electrical energy (average daily);
- on the regeneration and stocks of the atmosphere of 2630 kg of equipment and reserves of oxygen and nitrogen and 1740 W electrical energy (average daily).
The total costs of the regeneration of water and the atmosphere and reserves amounted to 5440 kg (equipment and stocks of water, oxygen and nitrogen) and 2020 W electrical energy (average daily).
The mass of emergency stocks is comparable to regeneration costs, so technical prerequisites must be provided for its decline. Special attention should be paid to the regeneration coefficients of substances and to minimize the loss of water and the atmosphere, which directly affect stock consumption (during the calculations, these losses were not taken into account). The main direction of development of the SLC complexes is to increase their closetness and reliability. To increase the reliability in the SZhO complex, not only spare units, but also duplicate systems that provide the crew with water and the atmosphere with the malfunction of the main systems should be included. With an increase in the duration and autonomy of the flight, an increase in the equipment resource, ensuring maintainability, reducing the cost of mass and energy consumption of systems and reducing the volume occupied by them is crucial. An increase in the efficiency of existing and developing new processes of water and atmospheric regeneration processes is needed.
* Taking into account additional blocks and reserve subsystem. ** Taking into account the emergency stock.
Currently, the SLC systems and complexes that are fully satisfying the specified requirements are absent. To create them, it is necessary to conduct targeted research and development work. The most important stage of checking new technological processes and systems for long-term autonomous flights is their tests and testing at the International Space Station of the ISS.
When organizing planetary databases, a gradual transition from interplanetary ships operating with weightless equipment should be ensured to simpler equipment that uses the gravity of the planets. A separate task is to develop processes and systems using planetary resources.
findings
1. Created regenerative life support systems that have successfully worked at Russian Salute, World and Cosmic Space Stations on the ISS, providing a long stay of astronauts at the station and a significant technical and economic effect.2. The analysis that uses the achieved experience confirms the technical possibility of creating a complex of life support systems based on the regeneration of water and the atmosphere for the lunar orbital space station.
3. To solve this problem, it is necessary to increase the degree of closetness of the SZhO complex due to the increase in the coefficients of water extraction and the introduction of water regeneration systems from urins, concentration and processing of carbon dioxide.
At the second stage of improving the SZHO complex, it is necessary to increase its comfort and introduce sanitary equipment, a vitamin greenhouse and the corresponding water regeneration systems.
4. The creation of systems of life support systems for promising missions requires the development of improved equipment, systems and technologies to increase the reliability of regeneration and significantly reduce the consumption of the mass to receive target products. It is also necessary to develop and implement backup systems that ensure the functional duplication of the main systems in abnormal situations.
Oxygen candle - This is a device that allows you to get oxygen suitable for consumption by living organisms. Developed technology by a group of scientists from Russia and the Netherlands. Widely used rescue services Many countries, also airplanes, space stations like ISS. The main advantages of this development are compactness and ease.
Oxygen Candle in Space
On board the ISS oxygen is a very important resource. But what will happen if during the accident or with a random breakdown, life support systems will stop working, including the oxygen supply system? All living organisms on board simply will not be able to breathe and die. Therefore, especially for such cases on in astronauts there is a rather impressive supply of chemical oxygen generators, if it is easier to speak easier oxygen candles. As the use of such a device in space and the use of such a device has been shown in the "Live" movie.
Where does oxygen come from
The airplanes also use oxygen generators on a chemical basis. If the board is unloaded or another breakdown happens, an oxygen mask falls near each passenger. Mask will produce oxygen for 25 minutes, after which chemical reaction stop.
How does it work?
Oxygen candle Cosmos consists of potassium perchlorate or chlorate. Airplanes use in most cases barium peroxide or sodium chlorat. Also there is an ignition generator and a filter for cooling and cleaning from other non-desired elements.