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At the initial phase of the construction of the international space station (ISS) water supply will be provided by the systems located in the Russian segment. The paper reviews the systems for water recovery from humidity condensate and urine to be incorporated in the Russian segment of the ISS. The similar systems have been successfully operated on the Mir space station. The updates aim at enhancing system cost-effectiveness and reliability. The system for water recovery from humidity condensate (WRS-C) features an added assembly for the removal of organic contaminants to be catalytically oxidized in an air/liquid flow at ambient temperature and pressure. The system for water reclamation from urine (WRS-U) incorporates a new distillation subsystem based on vacuum distillation with a multistage rotary distiller and a vapor compression or thermoelectric heat pump. The updating of the WRS-C system will enable an increase in the multifiltration bed's life at least two fold.

The paper presents the results of ground and flight (on OSS Mir) tests of an updated purification assembly of the WRS-C system outfitted with a filter-reactor. The tests have proved that the filter-reactor oxidizes effectively basic organic contaminants in humidity condensate including ethyleneglycol to ones that easily undergo sorption, enables the operation of the recovery system in the event of an off-design increase in organic contaminants in condensate and significantly improves the lifetime of the purification assembly. The data obtained confirm a wise selection of the purification assembly hardware for the system for water recovery from humidity condensate WRS-CM for the ISS service module.

A selection of a distillation subsystem with a rotary multistage vacuum distiller (RMVD) and a heat pump (HP) for the system for water reclamation from urine for the international space station is substantiated. The results of computational/experimental analysis of specific energy for distillation with RMVD and HP of different type used are presented. The test results of an experimental system mockup are given. It is shown that the subsystem of a given type is stable in operation, features high condensate processing rate and low specific energy demand.

This paper deals with a man-made Gas Atmosphere (MMGA) Simulation Model developed and software presented for the Russian Segment of the International Space Station (ISS). The simulation Model (SM) is intended for analysis of the MMGA parameter nonstationary values in isothermal and non-isothermal conditions under a variable number of crew taking into account the intensities of the crew activity. The person's structure of the SM, basic assumptions, taken for modeling and formalized descriptions of SM separate modules. Formalized descriptions by the Segment's Pressurized Modules are based on using the nonlinear equations of mass/energy balance for the controlling volume, taking into account all main sources and sinks of the environment separate components, which are a crew, Integrated Regenerative Life Support System (IRLSS) separate subsystems, ISS on-board systems.

This paper considers one of the possible approaches to the synthesis of technologies for developing future Integrated Regenerative Life Support Systems (IRLSS) for space vehicle crews. The solution of technology synthesis task involves the following phases: (a) the efficiency model structuring for technical decision making process; (b) presentation of a discrete set of alternative technologies and their formal description; (c) the decision making task introduction. Modified efficiency model under consideration is based on use of local efficiency criteria set, reflecting designed system and its subsystems properties, space vehicle properties for which this system is intended. For the local criteria after verification of the independence terms quantitative and qualitative efficiency factors are applied. The qualitative efficiency factors were evaluated on the scale of order. The consideration of uncertainty in criteria values is based on a fuzzy set theory.

The paper deals with the performance data of the service module Zvezda water supply and urine collection systems of the International Space Station (ISS) as of December 31, 2002. The water supply and demand balance are analyzed. The data of humidity condensate and recovered water compositions are reviewed. The effective cooperation of the international partners on part of life support is shown.

This paper reviews the preliminary definition of integrated life support system configurations based on a single criterion decision-making task (SCDMT). Comparative analysis results are shown for currently used effectiveness models based on SCDMT. Possible areas of application for those models are determined. It is also proven that well-known effectiveness model, which uses an equivalent mass approach to determine system expenditures, can be used only in cases where useful effect from system operation is the same. The article proposes the use of a global thermodynamic effectiveness criterion based on the exergy method to account for ECLSS functional expenditures, i.e. functional costs. Exergy is a concept that fuses energy and material quality information in a measure that is both descriptive and physically significant. This method accounts for nonequivalence of different forms of energy and allows measuring technological flows in the system using same measuring units.

The paper deals with the construction and performance data of the service module Zvezda water supply system of the International Space Station (ISS). The performance data at an initial phase of manned station functioning are provided. The data on humidity condensate and recovered water composition are reviewed. The water supply and demand balance are analyzed. The effective cooperation of international partners on part of water supply for the crew is shown.

The paper deals with the construction and performance data of the service module Zvezda water and oxygen supply systems of the International Space Station (ISS). The performance data at the first 14 months of manned station functioning are provided. The data of humidity condensate and recovered water compositions are reviewed. The water supply and demand balance are analyzed. The system of oxygen generation “Electron-VM” and its functioning results are reviewed. The effective cooperation of the international partners on part of life support is shown.

This paper describes the concept of Ecotechnical System (ETS) based on the analysis of mass, power and data flow exchange within a biocenosis and between a biocenosis and technical systems that support life and activity of any biological entity in isolated environment of space vehicle. A biocenosis is considered to be a gathering of live organisms (generally people, animals, plants and micro-organisms) in an artificial habitat of the isolated environment. An Ecotechnical System is defined and it is shown that the given concept brings together different life support systems based on physical-chemical and biological means of regeneration of crew metabolic products. The existing limitations to the ETS development are reviewed in the paper in respect to limited volumes of space vehicles based on the vehicle characteristics and particular space program tasks. Three step analysis approach proposed for ETS effectiveness evaluation.

As space flights tend to be more prolonged problems of oxygen generation by physicochemical means assume greater importance. The paper deals with the water, electrolysis process, CO2 concentration and processing organisation schemes. Some operational results of the system for electrolysis of aqueous alkali solution and CO2 removal on Mir space station are presented. Expected characteristics of the complex system for oxygen generation from carbon dioxide are considered.

The paper deals with the problems of development of physico-chemical systems for water recovery and atmosphere revitalization for long-duration space stations. Schematics of regenerative life support systems featuring a high degree of closure and biotechnological components are presented. A year-long experiment has proved the possibility for Man to stay in a closed artificial environment for a long time by consuming substances regenerated by physico-chemical means from the end products of life. A complex of the life support systems (LSS) on Mir space station allowing for oxygen and 90% water recovery as well as its future updating is considered.

The paper deals with some aspects and results of research in major processes and hardware of a system for hygiene waste water recovery and its architecture concepts. A principal system schematic and its functions on Mir space station are presented. It is shown that physico-chemical means ensure cost-effective recovery with minimum energy demand and resupply which is particulary important for long-duration space missions.

As space flights tend to be more prolonged problems of oxygen generation by physico-chemical means assume greater importance. The paper deals with the water electrolysis process and CO2 reduction. Some operational results of the system for water electrolysis on Mir space station are presented. Expected characteristics of the systems for water electrolysis and carbon dioxide reduction are considered.

This paper deals with water reclamation from humidity condensate and urine schematics and processes realized on orbital space stations Salut and Mir. The results of research in updated processes and schematics for condensate separation, purification and distillation with heat energy recovery are described. It is shown that the processes and hardware make possible to reduce energy demand and the weight of the water recovery systems under operation on space stations.

The paper deals with the system for hygiene water recovery developed for the Mir orbital space station. The paper presents a system schematic, its operation logic and the system component design. The results of system ground checkout tests and its operation on the Mir space station verify the system design solution adopted and the effectiveness of the procedures developed for system preservation and re-activation prior to and during station spaceflight.

This paper describes the results of research and tests of different patterns of distillation processes for water reclamation from urine accomplished by NIICHIMMASH in cooperation with other companies. Several typical patterns of evaporation to air flow from water-retentive porous bodies, from the surface confined by capillary/porous membranes and from free liquid surface in rotary units under atmospheric and reduced pressure are analyzed. Relevant condensation processes are reviewed. Performance data for distillation unit of SS MIR system for water reclamation from urine are outlined. The paper highlights the prospects of distillation hardware development.

The paper analyzes and summarizes experience in developing and flight operation of the system for potable water recovery from humidity condensate. The system schematic and its hardware are reviewed. The system performance data on Salut and Mir space stations are presented. Succession to the development of a similar system for the International Space Station (ISS) service module is shown.

A concept of developing a regenerative water management system (RWMS) for first lunar base missions is reviewed. The principal feature of the concept proposed is the maximum possible unification of RWMS for long-duration orbiting station and a lunar base with due regard to possible modification of the hardware for lunar gravity conditions. The paper is based on the expertise in research, development, testing and flight operation of RWMS in Russia. An upgraded RWMS of the International Space Station may be used for first lunar missions.

The paper describes the hardware for potable water produced by processing condensate from reusable spacecraft fuel cells. Gaseous and dissolved hydrogen and alkali are removed from condensate by a sorption/catalytic method under atmospheric pressure. The hardware may be used on spacecraft outfitted with fuel cell-based power plants.