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The Atmospheric Revitalization System (ARS) provides carbon dioxide removal, trace contaminant control, and gas constituent analysis. In this field, the interest of RecycLAB [5], the TAS-I Advanced Live Support Research & Development laboratory is directed to trace gas contaminants removal and monitoring. During manned space mission, the decontamination of cabin or rack air after contingency events such as fire or pyrolysis is a priority for the crew safety. In this paper, basic zeolites, obtained by impregnation of common zeolites with a basic oxide, are used to remove acid gas contaminants from air stream. A multi-functional system, able to accommodate reactors of different shape, characteristics and set-up, is used at this purpose. This breadboard, called ZEUS (Zeolites for an Environmental-control Unit in Space), is made of AISI 316L stainless steel and consists of a closed loop, in which the inner volume is completely isolated from the external environment.

The European Space Agency ESA is preparing a mission to planet Mercury called BepiColombo in cooperation with ISAS, the Japanese space agency. Advanced thermal control materials and components are under development to allow the performance of the mission. The present paper gives an overview of the BepiColombo thermal control design and give emphasis to the continued effort in the development of a Solar Reflector Coating (SRC), an Optical Solar Reflector (OSR) and an Infra-Red Rejection Device (IRRD). Key issue in the development and validation of the components and related technologies is the long-term stability under the high temperature and high intensity radiation environment in the vicinity of Mercury. Therefore thermal and radiation endurance testing plays a major role. Candidate materials have been selected and the component design been defined. Development tests will establish mechanical, thermal and optical properties for the initial and end of life conditions.

This paper describes the main changes affecting the APM Environmental Control System (ECS) as a consequence of the Space Station Freedom (SSF) restructuring and Columbus APM overall reconfiguration. The main purposes of this reconfiguration are: minimize the number and complexity of the interfaces with Space Station Freedom (SSF) centralize avionics command and monitoring tasks revisit the failure tolerance concept of some ECS functions unify/standardize similar functions in the two subsystem adjust lifetime requirements and simplify maintenance concept of equipment. The APM ECS consists of the following functions: active thermal control (ATCS) passive thermal control (PTCS) atmosphere pressure and composition control air revitalization and cabin ventilation temperature and humidity control vacuum and venting nitrogen supply fire detection and suppression. The new ATCS configuration provides a cooling capability for a reduced number of P/L racks by means of its moderate loop.