CO ₂ Processing and O ₂ Reclamation System Selection Process for Future European Space Programmes

This paper describes the process used to select the physico-chemical system configuration to meet the requirements of manned European space development plans from the year 2005 onwards. From the investigated sixty four candidates, eight candidate system configurations were preselected from which one baseline configuration was finally selected. This will enable the European space industry to identify and establish the required capabilities and technologies in Europe.

The selection process took available technology, cost impact, oxygen, water, carbon and hydrogen loop closure considerations and a synergetic approach with the propulsion system into account. Both quantitative and qualitative assessments were used.