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In order to estimate the exposure to a crew in space, there are three essential steps to be performed: first, the ambient radiation environment at the vehicle must be characterized; second, the mass distribution properties of the vehicle, including the crewmembers themselves must be developed, and third a model of the interactions of space radiations with matter must be employed in order to characterize the radiation field at the dose point of interest. The Space Radiation Analysis Group (SRAG) at the NASA, Johnson Space Center carries the primary responsibility for the operational radiation protection support function associated with manned space flight. In order to provide support during the various planning, execution, and analysis/recording phase activities associated with a given mission, tools have been developed to allow rapid, repeatable calculations of exposure on orbit.

Debris in the Orbiter crew compartment of early Shuttle missions created crew health concerns and physiological discomfort, and was the cause of some equipment malfunctions. Debris from Orbiters during flight and processing was analyzed, quantized, and evaluated to determine its source. Records were kept on the amount of debris vacuumed by the crew during on-orbit cleaning and the amount found on air-cooled avionics boxes during ground turnaround. After ground turnaround operations at Kennedy Space Center and Palmdale were reviewed from a facility, materials use, and materials control standpoint, the following remedial steps were taken.

NASA-JSC is evaluating planetary mission scenarios where plants will provide the majority of the diet for the crew. The requirements of both plants and crew diet need to be integrated in the development of the final food system. Plant growth has limitations in type and quantity of crops to be produced while diets must meet palatability and nutritional requirements as well as limited processing labor, equipment and power. A plan is presented for the development of a food system based heavily on grown crops. Although the steps taken in the development are applicable to the design of any long duration flight food system. The process begins with the development of a food list, followed by preliminary menu design, nutritional analysis and finally menu testing.

The On-line Project Information System (OPIS) is a LAMP-based (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) system being developed at NASA Ames Research Center to improve Agency information transfer and data availability, largely for improvement of system analysis and engineering. The tool will enable users to investigate NASA technology development efforts, connect with experts, and access technology development data. OPIS is currently being developed for NASA's Exploration Life Support (ELS) Project. Within OPIS, NASA ELS Managers assign projects to Principal Investigators (PI), track responsible individuals and institutions, and designate reporting assignments. Each PI populates a “Project Page” with a project overview, team member information, files, citations, and images. PI's may also delegate on-line report viewing and editing privileges to specific team members. Users can browse or search for project and member information.

Conceptual designs for a space suit Personal Life Support Subsystem (PLSS) were developed and assessed to determine if upgrading the system using new, emerging, or projected technologies to fulfill basic functions would result in mass, volume, or performance improvements. Technologies were identified to satisfy each of the functions of the PLSS in three environments (zero-g, Lunar, and Martian) and in three time frames (2006, 2010, and 2020). The viability of candidate technologies was evaluated using evaluation criteria such as safety, technology readiness, and reliability. System concepts (schematics) were developed for combinations of time frame and environment by assigning specific technologies to each of four key functions of the PLSS -- oxygen supply, waste removal, thermal control, and power. The PLSS concepts were evaluated using the ExtraVehicular Activity System Sizing Analysis Tool, software created by NASA to analyze integrated system mass, volume, power and thermal loads.

There have been many software programs that have provided simulations for the performance and operation of the Environmental Control and Life Support Subsystems (ECLSS) in the International Space Station (ISS) and in the Space Shuttle. These programs have been applied for purposes in system analysis, flight analysis, and ECLSS studies. Flight and system analysis tasks are deemed important. Therefore, more manpower and resources added for such work is considered beneficial. System analysis covers design and trouble-shooting, the validation of Flight Rules, and the contingency analysis. During the engineering design phase, ECLSS modelers predict the performance and interaction of units in a process train. Simulation results can be useful in estimating equipment sizes and costs. This article has also used two examples to illustrate that many Flight Rules need to be validated using properly selected integrated programs.

Wheat is a candidate crop for the Advanced Life Support (ALS) system, and cereal grains and their products will be included on long-term space missions beyond low earth orbit. While the exact supply scenario has yet to be determined, some type of post-processing of these grains must occur if they are shipped as bulk ingredients or grown on site for use in foods. Understanding the requirements for processing grains in space is essential for incorporating the process into the ALS food system. The ESM metric developed by NASA describes and compares individual system impact on a closed system in terms of a single parameter, mass. The objective of this study was to compare the impact of grain mill type on the ESM of producing yeast and flat breads. Hard red spring wheat berries were ground using a Brabender Quadrumat Jr. or the Kitchen-Aid grain mill attachment (both are proposed post-harvest technologies for the ALS system) to produce white and whole wheat flour, respectively.

In July 2001, during Space Shuttle Flight 7A, the Joint Airlock was added to the International Space Station (ISS) and utilized in performing the first extravehicular activity (EVA) from the ISS. Unlike previous airlock designs built by the United States or Russia, the Joint Airlock provides the ISS with the unique capability for performing EVAs utilizing either U.S. or Russian spacesuits. This EVA capability is made possible by the use of U.S.- and Russian- manufactured hardware items referred to as Servicing and Performance Checkout Equipment (SPCE) located in both the Joint Airlock's Equipment and Crew Locks. This paper provides a description for each SPCE item along with a summary of the requirements and capabilities provided in support of EVA events from the ISS Joint Airlock.

The Equivalent System Mass (ESM) metric developed by NASA describes and compares individual system impact on a closed system in terms of a single parameter, mass. The food system of a Mars mission may encompass a large percentage of total mission ESM, and decreasing this ESM would be beneficial. Yeast breads were made using three methods (hand & oven, bread machine, mixer with dough hook attachment & oven). Flat breads were made using four methods (hand & oven, hand & griddle, mixer with dough hook attachment & oven, mixer with dough hook attachment & griddle). Two formulations were used for each bread system (scratch ingredients, commercial mix). ESM was calculated for each of these scenarios. The objective of this study was to compare the ESM of yeast and flat bread production for a Martian surface outpost. Method (equipment) for both types of bread production was demonstrated to be the most significant influence of ESM when one equipment use was assumed.

The On-line Project Information System (OPIS) is a web-based database developed at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) to improve information transfer and data availability for Exploration Life Support (ELS) projects. The tool enables users to investigate NASA technology development efforts, connect with knowledgeable experts, and to communicate important information. Within OPIS, Principal Investigators (PI's) post technical, administrative, and project participant information for other users to access through browse and search mechanisms. PI's are given technical data reporting requirements in the form of annual report templates, to assure that the information reported satisfies the most critical data needs of various ELS user groups. OPIS fulfills data and functionality needs of key user groups in the ELS Community through data solicitation, centralization, and distribution. The tool also circumvents data loss with ELS participant turnover.