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NASA's next generation of space suit systems will place new demands on the pump used to circulate cooling water through the life support system and the crew's liquid cooling garment. Long duration missions and frequent EVA require increased durability and reliability; limited resupply mass requirements demand compatibility with recycled water, and changing system design concepts demand increased tolerance for dissolved and free gas and the ability to operate over a broader range of flow rates and discharge pressure conditions. This paper describes the development of a positive displacement prototype pump to meet these needs. A gerotor based design has been adapted to meet pump performance, gas tolerance, and durability requirements while providing a small, lightweight pump assembly. This design has been detailed and implemented using materials selected to address anticipated water quality and mission needs as a prototype unit for testing in NASA laboratories.

This paper is based on preliminary results of a joint study performed by MDA and Hamilton Sundstrand which examines evolving adaptive robotics systems through early robotic and human missions to the moon. NASA has placed increased emphasis on the role of robotics in future lunar exploration. The recent NASA Exploration System Architecture Study (ESAS) outlines a strategy for human return to the moon that begins with robotic precursor missions, and is followed by a series of short sortie missions made by human-robotic teams. Robotic systems would be better utilized if they can evolve to support multiple stages of the lunar exploration strategy, rather than being designed for “single-shot” mission. For example, pre-cursor rovers could be upgraded to support a human-robot sortie team, and later could remain after the astronauts depart to complete and continue exploration tasks, possibly in co-operation with other robotic assets transported on the Lunar Surface Access Module.