Habitability Issues for the Science Laboratory Module

Skylab and Spacelab are providing a definitive baseline for assuring that the Space Station-Science Laboratory Module is habitable. However, the complexity of the science, the duration of the missions, and the “civilian” orientation of the crew, necessitates additional measures promoting their health and well-being. In the Habitability module, the Habitability concerns are directed toward making crewmembers comfortable, while in the Science Laboratory Module, the term also encompasses safety considerations. The paper presents several concepts for control console layout, restraints, trash management, and emergency showers and eye washes. Additionally, typical laboratory layouts and configurations are presented.