Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2022

Presentation information

[J] Oral

H (Human Geosciences ) » H-CG Complex & General

[H-CG29] Advanced life support systems with closed bio-ecosystems and thier applications

Sun. May 22, 2022 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM 201A (International Conference Hall, Makuhari Messe)

convener:Masanori Shinohara(Teikyo University of Science), convener:Hiroshi Katoh(Division of Plant Functional Genomics, Advanced Science Research Promotion Center, Organization for the Promotion of Regional Innovation, Mie University), Shunta Kimura(Institute of Space and Astronautical Science / Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), convener:Midori Ong(University of Tsukuba), Chairperson:Hiroshi Katoh(Division of Plant Functional Genomics, Advanced Science Research Promotion Center, Organization for the Promotion of Regional Innovation, Mie University), Midori Ong(University of Tsukuba), Kaori Tomita-Yokotani(Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Tsukuba)

9:20 AM - 9:45 AM

[HCG29-02] Current status and challenges in terms of hardware for long-term closed residence

★Invited Papers

*Masato Sakurai1 (1.Japan Aerospace eXpolaration Agency)

Keywords:ECLSS, Closed system, Space

The International Space Station (ISS) is flying at an altitude of 400 km. About 6 astronauts are staying there to conduct experiments and research. The inside of the ISS is maintained at 1 atm, which is the same as on the ground. The walls of the ISS are made of sturdy aluminum alloy and are designed to withstand a pressure difference of more than 1 atmosphere with the vacuum space outside the ISS. Air and water must be brought in, and an environmental control / life support system (ECLSS1) (Environmental Control Life Support System) that cleans them and maintains temperature and humidity is required. It is necessary to self-sufficient energy by solar power generation, remove heat, protect the computer from radiation, and create an environment where the antenna can communicate when communicating with the earth.
Air is necessary for breathing and the air pressure prevents the dissipation of gas and liquid in the body. The human lungs are designed to breathe air with a partial pressure of 0.2 atmospheres. In order to reduce the weight of the spacecraft structure, it is necessary to increase the oxygen partial pressure when the total pressure is reduced. In early manned space missions, NASA filled the spacecraft with the pure oxygen needed to breathe. However, during the training of Apollo 1, the flames spread in the spacecraft in a blink of an eye in a 100% oxygen environment, and the lives of three astronauts were killed in an instant. After this tragedy, NASA began to mix oxygen with nitrogen, which prevents the spread of the flame.
The space station is filled with the same proportions of nitrogen and oxygen as on the ground. Air gradually escapes due to opening and closing of the hatch during spacecraft coupling and extravehicular activity, vacuum exhaust during experimental operation, and disposal of removed carbon dioxide to the outside of the ship. The amount of air that escapes overboard is said to be about 3.6 grams per day during normal activity. Station nitrogen and oxygen are brought in from the ground. These are deep cooled to make them liquid so that they can be filled in as small a tank as possible. The liquid gas is heated to fill the module. Hardware such as oxygen supply, carbon dioxide removal, production of oxygen from carbon dioxide, dehumidifiers, dehumidifiers, heat removal, and fire protection is required for air alone.
It is expected that space exploration activities will exceed the low earth orbit of the earth regardless of whether it is manned or unmanned, and the range will be dramatically expanded. Among them, the lunar surface has a wide range of items, such as not only full-scale manned exploration but also the start of industrial activities based on infrastructure development such as base formation. "Construction of a manned base," which is an essential settlement for humankind to support long-term stays, resource utilization, and industrial activities on the moon, is being studied.
"Transportation", "Robot", "Construction", "Energy", "In situ resource utilization (ISRU)", "Life support technology", etc. are only important to support human survival in the moon from the beginning of base construction. However, since it is deeply involved in transportation and energy issues, it can be said that it is necessary to systematically solve problems and improve technology from a long-term perspective.
The expansion of the living sphere of humankind toward space is extremely challenging even with the current scientific and technological capabilities, and the size of the "growth" of research and development toward its realization, the conventional "aerospace engineering" It can be said that it shows the ideal way of comprehensive science, which cannot be covered by.
In this presentation, I will introduce the current situation and issues in terms of hardware for long-term closed residence.