Life Support System Considerations for Space Station

With the growing desire to initiate a Space Station program, the interest in advanced, regenerative life support systems is also increasing. This paper briefly reviews this future spacecraft and concentrates on the advanced technology in some of the key functions of life support for this application. This paper reviews the basics of life support and its importance within a space station program. It concentrates«on the impact of major requirements and discusses some of the key influences that impact the design of the system. It also projects some of the key functional areas of the life support system which are most likely to be implemented from today\u27s current technology. The imminent availability of the Space Shuttle has rekindled interest in the longer duration space missions and permanent orbiting space platforms. Studies are underway to define missions and concept the orbiting facilities based on the capabilities available with and limitations imposed by the Space Transportation System. A work base in space is required to economically perform the long duration, complex missions of the future and to utilize the Space Shuttle in its intended role as a space truck. The term Space Station is again coming into vogue, although other titles for this program are currently in use