Design and Performance of the Space Station Pressure Control Assembly

The Pressure Control Assembly (PCA) will provide cabin air pressure control functions for the United States elements of the International Space Station. A PCA will be located in each of the US Laboratory, Habitation, and Airlock modules of the International Space Station. The PCA will provide the capability to vent cabin atmosphere to space, inject nitrogen and oxygen into the cabin, and monitor the cabin air pressure.

In this paper, the functionality, operation, design, physical characteristics, and expected performance of the on-orbit PCA are presented.