The International Space Station (ISS) requires advanced life support to reduce logistic resupply requirements as the Space Shuttle retires from service. Additionally, as humans endeavor to explore the moon and Mars, advanced vehicles and extraterrestrial bases will rely on life-support systems that feature in situ resource utilization to minimize launch weight and enhance mission capability. A goal is the development of advanced systems that meet the requirements of both mission scenarios to reduce development costs and potentially improve life support redundancy by deploying common modules. A high-pressure oxygengenerating system can provide a recharge capability for the high-pressure oxygen storage tanks on board the ISS independently of the soon to be retired Space Shuttle as well as offer a pathway for advanced life-support equipment for future manned-space exploration missions. Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC (GES), along with subcontractor Hamilton Sundstrand (HS), worked with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center on an SBIR Phase I effort (NNX10CF27P) to successfully advance oxygen output pressure to 3,600 psig, enhance computer modeling capabilities to better understand high-differential-pressure, cathodefeed electrolysis, and work collaboratively to identify materials and methodologies that demonstrate promise for high-differential-pressure applications. At the heart of the Phase I program was an ambitious parametric test matrix in which pressure was varied between ambient and 3,600 psid, and temperature was varied between 40°C and 80°C. GES employed an electrolyzer housed in a pressurized dome, whereas HS extended the capabilities of its high-differential-pressure oxygen generator stack to reach 3,600 psid.
Nomenclature
ASF= Amps/ft 2 EVA = extravehicular activity GES = Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC HDP = high pressure differential HHV = higher heating value HPOGA = high-pressure oxygen-generating assembly HS = Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation 1 Principal Engineer, Engineering and Manufacturing, 89 Rumford Ave./MS94, and AIAA Member.
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