Process Control Integration Requirements for Advanced Life Support Systems Applicable to Manned Space Missions

Applications of life support systems for space missions to date have been limited to the use of relatively simple processes and, consequently, there has been minimal utilization of process control within those systems. Furthermore, the maturation of the sensor technology required for these applications has not tracked that of other system components. Future integrated life support systems for long duration missions should be expected to have a substantially higher level of complexity, with operational demands similar to those of advanced chemical plants and attendant requirements for sophisticated process-control and sensor technologies to achieve safety and reliability objectives. Early integration of state-of-the-art control systems and related components into the methodology is necessary for optimum interfacing effectiveness during design and development of these new systems, and to ensure parallel growth during operational life cycles.

This paper provides an overview of recent developments in process-control technology which might have applications in future advanced life support systems for long duration space operations and describes some of the design criteria that should be considered. These criteria relate to control system selection and optimization, and process-control interfacing methodology.