Seventeen Environmental Control and Life Support System technology options to provide metabolic oxygen and water to sustain a multiperson crew on Space Station missions have been evaluated. The options included state-of-the-art technologies as well as advanced technologies that offer the potential for improvements in Environmental Control and Life Support Systems performance.
The methodology for candidate technology recommendations was based upon specific assessment criteria as functions of prelaunch development activities and postlaunch operational considerations.
The electrochemical depolarized cell option for carbon dioxide concentration, the sabatier option for carbon dioxide reduction, the static feed water electrolysis option for metabolic oxygen recovery, and vapor compression distillation and multifiltration options for waste water recovery were recommended.
The methodology for integrating the recommended candidates into the NASA Space Station reference configuration using both central/distributed and common module approaches is presented. Crew size variations were evaluated for three- and six-man-sized units. The central/distributed option, which utilized two six-man-size units in each of the two reference configuration habitability modules, was the recommended option for Space Station consideration. The recommendation was based upon the analysis of Space Station crew growth potential, safe haven compatibility, and impact on the reference configuration.