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The European Space Agency (ESA) recently has concluded a feasibility study for the European Crew Transfer Vehicle (CTV) to become operational for the first manned transfer flight to the International Space Station Alpha (ISSA) by 2005. The CTV, to be launched by Ariane 5, shall provide life support functions for a crew of four astronauts and about 100 hours autonomous flight duration. These life support functions comprise in particular atmosphere supply & pressure control, air conditioning, liquid management, and fire detection & suppression. The purpose of this paper is to identify the CTV requirements and to describe the capsule inherent design drivers. Furthermore the present design status of the CTV ECLSS is summarised herein. Optional design solutions are proposed, facilitating the reduction of design complexity, volumes and mass.