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NASA’s activities in life support Research and Technology Development (R&TD) have changed in both focus and scope following implementation of recommendations from the Exploration System Architecture Study (ESAS). The limited resources available and the compressed schedule to conduct life support R&TD have required that future efforts address the needs of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), the Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM) and Lunar Outpost (LO). Advanced Life Support (ALS) efforts related to long duration planetary bases have been deferred or canceled. This paper describes the scope of the new Exploration Life Support (ELS) project; how it differs from ALS, and how it supports critical needs for the CEV, LSAM and LO. In addition, this paper provides rationale for changes in the scope and focus of technical content within ongoing life support R&TD activities.

A preliminary evaluation of several portable life support system (PLSS) concepts which could be used during the First Lunar Outpost (FLO) mission extravehicular activities (EVA's) has been performed. The weight, volume and consumables characteristics for the various PLSS concepts were estimated. Thermal effects of day and night EVA's on PLSS consumables usage and hardware requirements were evaluated. The benefit of adding a radiator and the total PLSS weight to be carried by the astronaut were also evaluated for each of the concepts. The results of the evaluation were used to provide baseline weight, volume and consumables characteristics of the PLSS to be used on the 45 day FLO mission. The benefit of radiators was shown to be substantial. Considerable consumables savings were predicted for EVA schedules with a high concentration of nighttime EVA's versus daytime EVA's.

During the continuing effort to design the Space Station Freedom extravehicular activity (EVA) life support system, NASA has extensively researched and evaluated venting and non-venting technologies. In conducting this study, NASA has concentrated on a system-level approach that emphasizes on-orbit regeneration capabilities, minimization of expendables, minimal on-orbit maintenance requirements, a four to eight hour EVA capacity, and a system weight and volume close to the Space Shuttle unit. This paper will describe various venting and non-venting technologies and review the estimated weights and volumes for the options on a component and system level. At this time, a final design concept for the Space Station extravehicular mobility unit has not been chosen.

Regenerable life support technologies are being developed for use in the advanced extravehicular mobility unit (AEMU) aboard Space Station Freedom. NASA/JSC has made steady progress in the supporting technology areas but there are still design options that must be evaluated before the final selections are made for the flight hardware. A “preprototype” hardware program has been initiated to further define options. Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. has been asked to support this program by designing, procuring, integrating and testing this hardware. This paper describes the actions to date and those planned for the next three years to perform this interim technology readiness demonstration.