Search Results

With the advent of the Space Station Program, regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) are being considered to minimize logistics requirements. In addition to the potential to improve system performance and reduce life-cycle costs, rationale for adopting regenerative techniques . is based on sixteen years of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) sponsored regenerative ECLSS hardware development. This technological progress has been obtained through the Space Station Preprototype (SSP) and the Regenerative Life Support Evaluation (RLSE) programs, and ongoing Advanced Preprototype subsystem development and testing. The SSP program focused on regenerative life support techniques to satisfy projected goals of long-duration earth orbital missions.

A microgravity whole body shower (WBS) and a waste water recovery system (WWRS) were used in a closed loop test at the Johnson Space Center. The WWRS process involved chemical pretreatment, phase change distillation and post-treatment. A preprototype Thermoelectric Integrated Hollow Fiber Membrane Evaporation Subsystem (TIMES) was used for distillation after pretreatment and the post-treatment was accomplished with activated carbon, mixed ion exchange resin beds and microbial check valve (MCV) iodine bactericide dispensing units. The purposes of this test were to evaluate a NASA approved Shuttle soap for whole body showering comfort; evaluate the effects of the shower water on the WBS and the TIMES; and evaluate purification qualities of the recovered water in a closed loop operation.