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A model is being developed to quantitatively compare and thus assist in the selection of systems and technology options for defined missions envisioned in NASA's Space Exploration Initiative. It consists of a modular top-down hierarchical break-down of the life support systems (LSS) into subsystems, and further break-down of the subsystems into functional elements representing individual processing technologies. A series of papers entitled Human Life Support During Interplanetary Travel & Domicile are planned to describe the techniques and results. Parts I through V have focused on physical/chemical (P/C) Life Support Systems Analysis, with trade-off studies at the systems and technology levels for open and closed loop configurations. This paper discusses an extension to the Generic Modular Flow Schematic (GMFS) for P/C Life Support Systems by the addition of biological (Bio) processes.

This paper compares scaleup correlations developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and at the Langley Research Center (LaRC) for various life support hardware to estimate mass, volume, and power consumption values as a function of feed or product mass flow rates. The scaleup correlations are provided for a few selected advanced life support technologies developed for the Space Station Freedom (SSF). In addition, correlation validity limits and sources of data on various life support hardware are also discussed.

A quantitative comparison of the merits/demerits of storage vs. regeneration of essential supplies for long duration extraterrestrial manned missions requires detailed life support systems analyses. This is the first part of a series of papers highlighting the importance of mission-driven system definition and assessment for extraterrestrial human life support. In this part, rationale and methodology for adopting the systems approachis discussed. A top-down hierarchical structurefor conceptual modeling of life support systems is also presented. The necessity for validation of all data utilized in any system assessment study is briefly discussed.