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A regenerable carbon dioxide (CO2) removal system has demonstrated its capability for Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) missions during Shuttle Columbia flights STS-50, STS-52 and STS-55. The EDO requirements of missions up to 18 days and the capability for future missions up to 30 days necessitated the development and implementation of the regenerable CO2 removal system. The designed system offers a substantial weight and stowage volume reduction for missions beyond eight (8) days as compared to the baseline, nonregenerable, Lithium Hydroxide (LiOH) CO2 removal unit. 1 The system, referred to as the Regenerable CO2 Removal System (RCRS) was designed and developed by Hamilton Standard Division of United Technologies Corporation under contract to Rockwell International and NASA-Johnson Space Center. This paper presents an overview of the design characteristics and system performance.

A forecast is presented of the materials and processes expected to be used in aircraft environmental control systems (ECS) in the 1990's. It is expected that ECS components will not change drastically in design and function but materials used for their construction will change considerably. The anticipated innovations include: 1. Use of new alloys, 2. greater use of “near-net-shape” parts, 3. employment of low cost alloys modified by ion implantation or by laser glazing, and 4. greater use of fiber reinforced plastics, thermoformable plastics, reinforced stampable plastics and fiber reinforced metal matrix composites.

A two year test program has been initiated to evaluate the effects of extended duration operation on a solid polymer electrolyte Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA); in particular the cell stack and membrane phase separators. As part of this test program, the OGA was integrated into the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Water Recovery Test (WRT) Stage 10, a six month test, to use reclaimed water directly from the water processor product water storage tanks. This paper will document results encountered and evaluated thus far in the life testing program.