Search Results

The availability of real time, automated, and reliable atmosphere and water monitoring instrumentation within the timeframe of future manned lunar and Mars missions is vital to the success of the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). For these missions, with durations measured in years, the environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) must be properly instrumented to assure the crew that the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the atmosphere and water are within ranges that are healthy and safe. The technology for measuring some properties, such as temperature and pressure, is currently available for most applications; however, there are a number of instrumentation functions required for future long duration missions that cannot be performed by current technology. Defining the areas where current instrumentation technology falls short of satisfying potential SEI requirements is a task of immediate importance.