Development Status of the Metal Oxide Regenerable CO2 Removal System for the NASA EMU

Hamilton Standard Space Systems International, Inc. is currently under contract to NASA for the development and certification of an advanced technology regenerable carbon dioxide removal system for the International Space Station Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), or “space suit.” This new metal-oxide-based system (“Metox”) will replace the existing non-regenerable lithium hydroxide (LiOH) carbon dioxide (CO₂) removal system located in the EMU's Primary Life Support System (PLSS). The Metox canister is designed to replace the current LiOH Contamination Control Canister (CCC) with no modification to existing EMU interfaces. The metal oxide sorbent is “regenerable” and can be restored to its original condition permitting the Metox canisters to be used over and over again on-orbit. Once a Metox canister becomes “loaded” with CO₂, it will be placed in the “Regenerator,” where the system will circulate hot air through the canister to drive off, or desorb, the CO₂. The regenerated canister is then replaced in the PLSS for the next extravehicular activity (EVA).