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A summary of an ESA/ESTEC sponsored technology research programme is given aiming at the development of a CO2 partial pressure sensor suitable for monitoring the PP CO2 inside the oxygen ventilation loop of the EVA life support module. At first, a trade-off of candidate sensor concepts is presented. As result, the infrared optical sensor concept has been selected. In the frame of a discussion on basic facts of IR absorption the rationale for the selected configuration of the IR sensor is given. A breadboard model of the PP CO2 sensor together with a test set-up has been established. The sensor was subjected to a test programme consisting of two separate test periods. The main results are given. Finally, the findings are discussed in the light of the development of future flight hardware.

The COLUMBUS pressurized modules APM and PM2 are designed for a useful lifetime of 30 years. The APM, which forms part of the International Space Station, will be permanently manned with a 3-men-crew. The PM2, which is the pressurized module of the Men-Tended-Free-Flyer (MTFF) will be manned for the servicing period of 10 days followed by a 180-day unmanned period. In order to protect the crew from contamination by hazardous substances, which may be present in the cabin air, effective contamination management is required. This consists of a contamination monitoring system to detect and measure trace gases in the cabin atmosphere, and a contamination control system to be able to maintain the concentration of each potential contaminant below the maximum allowable concentration.

Steps of a Technology Development Programme leading to a technological Breadboard of a catalytic oxidizer assembly are described. The assembly was designed to remove the light-weight hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide from a space station atmosphere. With regard to the necessary flowrates, CO turned out to be the design driver while methane governed the thermal design. A concept was selected consisting of a high flow/low temperature catalyst for CO oxidation and a low flow/high temperature catalyst for the removal of the more stable contaminants. Test results on both assembly and ECLS-sub-system level, including experiments with selected catalyst poisons, are presented.