Advanced Portable Life Support System Component Integration and System Testing

A facility has been designed and built to perform the first integrated testing of Space Station Freedom Extravehicular Mobility Unit Portable Life Support System. The test articles are a non-venting thermal sink, a metal oxide CO₂ absorber, a quaternary amine CO₂ absorber, and a fast response CO₂ sensor. The water loop and vent loop of the EMU are simulated using facility fluid movers. Minimum volume and thermal mass were also drivers. Difficulties in system design and the resolution of each are discussed.