2:30 PM - 2:45 PM
[AOS14-04] ANALYSIS OF THE LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM AND QUALITY OF LIFE ELEMENTS OF THE CURRENT HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION
Keywords:Human Space Program, Circular Economy, Life Support System, Quality of Life, Technical and Biological Recycling System, Selected Core Biome
The International Space Station (ISS) is a microcosm of the Earth, where astronauts have been staying for decades. However, the current human space program on the ISS is not a circular economy that will realize a sustainable world, but is rather accelerating a linear economy. Items are resupplied from Earth approximately 10 times a year to maximize the use of the space environment such as microgravity on the ISS and to maintain the lives of the astronauts. 96-99% of the mass are disposed of after being used either during the launch process or on the ISS. As a result, the ISS, which does not realize a recycling-oriented society, has various adverse effects. For example, there is a risk of running out of supplies as well as issues regarding wastes. The lack of quality of life (QOL) items such as clothes and hygiene consumables is also an issue.
In order to realize a sustainable society, Life Support System (LSS) are literally indispensable to sustain life. Recycling air, water, and producing food are examples and various studies have been contributing to improve the recycle rate of oxygen and water, as well as how to develop a food production system on board the spacecraft. However, if we are willing to establish a sustainable human space exploration, we would need to take Quality of Life (QoL), especially elements that affect physical and mental health into consideration. In addition, we would also need to put more effort on not just to improve the recycling rate but also minimize the type and amount of items that require to maintain the recycle system itself.
This paper analyzes the status of the recycling and resupply status from both Life Support System and Quality of Life (QoL), and also quantifies types and amount of items, e.g. consumables, spare parts, etc., that are required to support the recycling systems. With regards to QoL, this study focuses on elements such as clothing, hygiene, and healthcare. Clothing is important as it protects crew members from injury and environment inside the space craft. Hygiene products such as towels, wipes, dental item are necessary to maintain healthy life. Healthcare items are fitness equipment and medical kits and those are also needed to maintain, prevent, and recover from injury and illness.
Historical Data of the manifest and cargo items supplied to the ISS was used to understand the reality of the recycling system. It was shown that items that are re-supplied over and over are not just reserved oxygen and nitrogen tanks and water canisters which are used to supplement the air and water system as a reserved resource, but also significant amount of system components for maintenance, space parts, and consumables such as filters were delivered. For instance, the analysis of air showed that re-suppling reserved gas tanks account for only 22% of the mass that is resupplied to the ISS. The other 78% were spare parts and consumables to maintain the air system. This means that even if we were able to recycle all of the oxygen and stop re-suppling reserved gas tanks, we will still need to resupply elements for operating and maintaining the recycling system. For water, reserved water tanks accounted for 75.8% of the mass that is resupplied and the other 24.2% were toilet hardware and waste containment. It was also discovered that all of the QoL elements, which are clothing, hygiene, and healthcare items were re-supplied from earth. As nearly 60% of hygiene items are towel and wipes, developing a laundry system or a recycling system using 3D printing technology might become a great contribution to improve the status.
In summary, as the amount of items required to maintain the recycling system cannot be ignored, it would be necessary to consider and develop a Life Support System or QoL recycling system that are consumables-free, a laundry system, and an in-space manufacturing technology to produce spare parts and such to realize a true circular and recycling system.
In order to realize a sustainable society, Life Support System (LSS) are literally indispensable to sustain life. Recycling air, water, and producing food are examples and various studies have been contributing to improve the recycle rate of oxygen and water, as well as how to develop a food production system on board the spacecraft. However, if we are willing to establish a sustainable human space exploration, we would need to take Quality of Life (QoL), especially elements that affect physical and mental health into consideration. In addition, we would also need to put more effort on not just to improve the recycling rate but also minimize the type and amount of items that require to maintain the recycle system itself.
This paper analyzes the status of the recycling and resupply status from both Life Support System and Quality of Life (QoL), and also quantifies types and amount of items, e.g. consumables, spare parts, etc., that are required to support the recycling systems. With regards to QoL, this study focuses on elements such as clothing, hygiene, and healthcare. Clothing is important as it protects crew members from injury and environment inside the space craft. Hygiene products such as towels, wipes, dental item are necessary to maintain healthy life. Healthcare items are fitness equipment and medical kits and those are also needed to maintain, prevent, and recover from injury and illness.
Historical Data of the manifest and cargo items supplied to the ISS was used to understand the reality of the recycling system. It was shown that items that are re-supplied over and over are not just reserved oxygen and nitrogen tanks and water canisters which are used to supplement the air and water system as a reserved resource, but also significant amount of system components for maintenance, space parts, and consumables such as filters were delivered. For instance, the analysis of air showed that re-suppling reserved gas tanks account for only 22% of the mass that is resupplied to the ISS. The other 78% were spare parts and consumables to maintain the air system. This means that even if we were able to recycle all of the oxygen and stop re-suppling reserved gas tanks, we will still need to resupply elements for operating and maintaining the recycling system. For water, reserved water tanks accounted for 75.8% of the mass that is resupplied and the other 24.2% were toilet hardware and waste containment. It was also discovered that all of the QoL elements, which are clothing, hygiene, and healthcare items were re-supplied from earth. As nearly 60% of hygiene items are towel and wipes, developing a laundry system or a recycling system using 3D printing technology might become a great contribution to improve the status.
In summary, as the amount of items required to maintain the recycling system cannot be ignored, it would be necessary to consider and develop a Life Support System or QoL recycling system that are consumables-free, a laundry system, and an in-space manufacturing technology to produce spare parts and such to realize a true circular and recycling system.