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The Static Feed Electrolyzer is one of the key technologies that are needed for meeting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration mission needs/goals for the near-term Space Station Freedom Program and future advanced missions such as Lunar Bases and Mars explorations. Oxygen and hydrogen are essential not only for the survival of humans in space but also for efficient and economical operation of various space systems. The Static Feed Electrolyzer technology is a very efficient tool for generating oxygen and hydrogen for various applications including propulsion, energy storage, life support and oxygen recharge for Extravehicular Activity. Life Systems, Inc., in conjunction with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been developing an alkaline-based Static Feed Electrolyzer. During the development of the water electrolysis technology over the past 20 years, an extensive engineering and scientific data base has been assembled.

Recovery of oxygen (O2) from water will be needed on future long-duration manned space missions. Direct electrolysis of cabin water vapor into O2 and hydrogen (H2) offers the advantage of avoiding the phase change, separation and handling of liquid water in zero gravity. These considerations affect liquid electrolysis subsystems which are presently baselined for central O2 generation aboard the Space Station. This paper presents the results of a technology development program that Life Systems, Inc., in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC) has been undertaking. The goal of the program is to develop Water Vapor Electrolysis (WVE) hardware that can selectively be used as localized topping capability in areas of high metabolic activity without oversizing the central Air Revitalization System (ARS).