ISS Air Revittilization System rack represents the
state of the art in spacecraft oxygen recovery technology
Image Credit:
NASA
For
NASA's long-duration human spaceflight missions, travelers will need to recycle
as much breathable oxygen in their spacecraft environments, as possible. To turn
that need into a reality, NASA is seeking proposals for lightweight, safe,
efficient and reliable systems for regenerating oxygen on future human
exploration missions.
The first of two phases of this new NASA solicitation will consist of a
detailed design, development, fabrication, and testing of an advanced oxygen
recovery technology. Under a two year Phase II contract, the proposer then will
develop a prototype hardware system, capable of an oxygen recovery rate of at
least 75 percent.
"Lengthy spaceflight missions in Earth's orbit and beyond must have life
support systems that are more self-sufficient and reliable," said Michael
Gazarik, associate administrator for Space Technology at NASA Headquarters in
Washington. "The spacecraft life support system technologies for this proposal
must significantly improve the rate of oxygen recovery while achieving high
degrees reliability. NASA and its partners will need to develop new technologies
to 'close' the atmosphere revitalization loop."
In addition to improving the oxygen recovery rate, the new systems must
reduce mass required or take up less space and reduce power consumption. NASA's
goal is to award technology development efforts that will increase the oxygen
recovery rate to at least 75 percent without adversely impacting other design
requirements.
The agency's Game Changing Development Program will accept proposals from
NASA centers, other government agencies, federally funded research and
development centers, educational institutions, industry and nonprofit
organizations. NASA expects to make approximately six Phase I awards, ranging in
value up to $750,000.
The Advanced Oxygen Recovery for Spacecraft Life Support Systems Appendix is
part of the Space Technology Mission Directorate Game Changing Development
Program NASA Research Announcement, "Space Technology Research, Development,
Demonstration, and Infusion 2014" for high priority technology areas of interest
to NASA.
The SpaceTech-REDDI-2014 Advanced Oxygen Recovery for Spacecraft Life Support
Systems Appendix is available through the NASA Solicitation and Proposal
Integrated Review and Evaluation System website by going to "Solicitations" and
then "Open Solicitations" at:
NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., manages the Game Changing
Development Program for the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate.
NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate remains committed to developing the
critical technologies required to enable future exploration missions beyond
low-Earth orbit. The directorate continues to solicit the help of the best and
brightest minds in academia, industry, and government to drive innovation and
enable solutions in a myriad of important technology thrust areas. These planned
investments are addressing high priority challenges for achieving safe and
affordable deep-space exploration.
NASA
Guillermo Gonzalo Sánchez Achutegui
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