BIOSATELLITE Environmental Control and Life Support System Design

This paper presents the environmental control and life-support system design for the 21 and 30 day mission NASA Biosatellite program. A two-loop system is described which provides temperature control for the fuel cell power source, cryogenic gases, water and urine storage, and the gas management system. The latter provides control of the gaseous environment in the recovery capsule. It controls temperature, relative humidity, recirculation and filtration of the atmosphere, buildup of toxic and/or nontoxic gases and odors, and partial and total pressure of the nitrogen/oxygen atmosphere.

Comparison of experimental results with analytical predictions are presented. Extensive thermal vacuum system testing was performed to verify design predictions; good agreement with analysis was achieved.