Micro-Nano technologies related to Life Support Systems

M. SakuraiInnovative Technology Research Center,

Aerospace Research and Development DirectorateJapan Aerospace Exploration Agency

(Mon.) 6 October, 200821th Micro Electronics Work ShopMEWS 21 @Tsukuba

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● Circulated life support systemInternational Space StationManned Mars Mission

Body metabolism

Importance of Circulated Life Support System

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Tsukuba Space Center

Noshiro Test FieldKakuta Space Propulsion Technology Center

Hokkaido multi purpose aero field

Aerospace Technology

Research CenterTanegashima

Rocket Launcher

(CEEF) Closed Ecology Experiment Facilities

ISAS

4Rice and Siba goats

The scheme of the closed habitation experiment in CEEF

Closed Ecology Experiment Facilities (CEEF)

Closed Ecology Experiment Facilities (CEEF)

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Interval of supply and Recycle rate

As close to 100% recycleInterval of supply increase

dramatically

Demonstration of System is necessary

f:Circulating rater:Reuse rate

D:DisposalS:Supply C:Consum

e Manned System

rfW Circulate

W:First disposalW=C

(1-f)W

fWB:Second disposal

T:Interval of Supply (No recycle)To:Interval of Supply (With recycle)T/To=1/(1-rf)

Supply(S):S=(1-rf)CDisposal(D):D=(1-rf)C

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Manned moon foothold (After 2025)

Moon resource （Mineral, Oxygen） plant

Comunication system

Solar cell

Habitation module

Self contain module

Building robotPressured rover

Space suit

2015 Planning2020 Preparation for building2025 Short stay2030 Long stay

Legoris protection wall

Lander

Science utilization facility

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Accumulation of manned spaceExperience on ISS

Possibility of moon activity

Experience of Space shuttle

Unmanned moon probe

Accumuration of manned spaceAccumuration of manned space（（Life support, Energy etc.Life support, Energy etc.））

2005 2010 2015 2020 202520001990

Farer and longer timeMission time

Quantity of transport

Distance from earth

・Decision of possibility of manned moon mission・Decision and accumulation of moon utilization

・Orbit utilization（Science, practical use）

Contribution for Int. Contribution for Int. CorporationCorporation

Individual manned Individual manned missionmission

Development of various optionDevelopment of various option

JapaneseJapaneseStay in spaceStay in space

JAXA Long Term Vision Re; JAXA VisionRe; JAXA Vision

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Technical road map for ECLSS

Technicalgoal

Advanced ground demonstration

2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

Ground test bedGround test bed

Throwaway

O2

H2OFood

H2OFood Food

Partially close

Air purification

None O2

Air revitalization

Water purification

O2

H2OFood

Air Waterrevitalization

Food（partial）

O2

H2O

None

Air Waterrevitalization

Food（partial）Disposal

Food

Air Waterrevitalization

O2

H2O

Catch up stage Leading stage

ISS Moon base Mars base

Circulated

Supply

Small satellite Shuttle

Technical demonstrationNext Int. Manned Mission

Completely close

JAXA Long Term Vision

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Circulated life support system

Element technologies have been developedModify for space and downsizing

Energy Supply

H2

SEPALSElf-contained PArtially-circulated Life support system

Light/Heat

Water Decom-position Air

Revital-ization

Heat/Power

O2

SEFULSElf-contained FUlly-circulated Life support system

Plant

Animal

Disposal Disposal of wasteof waste

H2O

Waste water, Rubbish

CO2Human

Nutrition

Waste waterRubbish

Food

Recycled water

Light/Heat

CO2 Food Food productionproduction

CO2 Separation & condense

in the atomosphere

1st Sabatier ReactionCO2+4H2→2H2O+CH4

CO2 1100g/day560L/day

O2 800g/day 560L/day

CO2

VaporH2O

Water Electrolysis for MicrogravityH2O → O2+H2

H2

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Manned exploration to MoonManned exploration to Moon

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Out look of Manned Space Development Out look of Manned Space Development NASA New Space Policy － New development of 4 hardware

(length is 1.5 times, capacity is 3 times bigger than Apollo)

•Apollo like corn shape manned spaceship•Bottom diameter is 5.5m•Capacity 6 person

(4 person for manned moon mission)•Rocket engine：Liquid oxygen/ methan•Return on the ground•10 times recycle is available

（1）Capsule type manned spaceship(Orion: (CEV))

（2）Lunar Surface Access Module : LSAM)

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Out look of Manned Space DevelopmentOut look of Manned Space Development

• 4 person•7 days stay•Descend engine

: Liquid oxygen / Liquid Hydrogen•Ascend engine

: Liquid oxygen / Liquid Hydrogen

NASA New Space Policy － New development of 4 hardware

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Adsorption of carbon dioxideAdsorption of carbon dioxide

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Active carbon Metal complex salt

Adsorption of carbon dioxideAdsorption of carbon dioxide

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Gas analysis by gas chromatography

CO2+H2 → CH4+H2OH2O → H2+O2

CH4

H2 O2

CO2

H2

CO2

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Effect of temperature on reaction rate

Effect of temperature on concentration of gas

Sabatier reaction

CO2Concentration

in H2

Temperature [℃]

Rea

ctio

n ra

te [

%]

Catalyst for Sabatier Reaction

CO2+4H2→CH4+2H2O

Improvement

low temperature Sabatier reaction leads to down sizing reactor

Image of 100oC → 100% reaction

New catalyst

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Connection sabatier reactor and water electrolysis

a) Sabatier reactor

b) Water Electrolysis

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WATER ELECTROLYSIS CELLS DESIGNED FOR MICROGRABITTY CONDDIIONS

Water electrolysis cellWater electrolysis cell

Experiment ResultThe generation of very fine bubbles

The bubble and liquid separation is Problem

Electrolysis cell

CathodeAnode

Water Tank

New methodDirect vapor electrolysisFit for Sabatier reactionNo need to separation of the bubbles and liquidGiving defining water4 Patents

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Vapor electrolysis

Electrolysis currency and voltage

Horizontal place

Observation of cell (at 106oC)

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Results of air reResults of air re--vitalization and a Planvitalization and a Plan

～2005 2006 2007 2008～

Gas analysisGas analysis CO2 real time CO2 real time analysisanalysis

Water Water electrolysiselectrolysis

CO2 CO2 reductionreduction CO2 CO2

reductionreduction

CO2 CO2 removeremove

Connection Connection CO2 reduction CO2 reduction

water water electrolysiselectrolysis Modify Water Modify Water

electlysyselectlysys

Conn-ect

Conn-ecta) 反応効率の温度依存性

CO2 reductionCO2 reduction

ConnectConnect

Air reAir re--vitalizationvitalization

℃℃℃

℃℃℃

CO2

remoba

l

Experi

ment

CO2

reducti

on

Experi

ment

Water

electroli

sys

Trace

2012～2022～

ISS ISS demodemo

Moon Moon demodemo

TRL increase

4 JAXA 4 JAXA PatentsPatents

Small Small satellite satellite demodemo

Compact, Energy savingCompact, Energy saving

2008 2010 2015 2025

Nano catalyst

Mis

sion

Com

plex

ity

Strong Smart Structures

Decision for manned space activity

Manned HTV

ISS

Space habitation

Dramaticaly decrease of

reaction temp

Ground Experiment

Compact, Energy savingCompact, Energy saving

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CANEUS Pilot Project2006-P1 Nano-composite Materials: Load Bearing

and Thermal Protection Applications 2006-P2 MNT Based Harsh Environment Sensors 2006-P3 Nano/Pico-Satellites for Civilian and

Defense Applications 2006-P4 Reliability Testing of Micro-Sensors, icro-

Actuators and Micro-Switches 2006-P5 Micro-energetics 2006-P6 Aircraft/Spacecraft Structural Health

Monitoring System 2006-P7 MNT-based Sensors for Astronaut Health

Monitoring and Environmental Control

2525

Cleaning of spaceship air Cleaning of spaceship air by photo catalystby photo catalyst

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Endoscopic capsuleEndoscopic capsuleThe Third Generation ENose The Sensor Unit is enclosed in the Interface Unit, whichwill be connected to the ISS EXPRESS Rack

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Summary

In order to support future space expolaration, we investigate air revitalization system .Nano-micro technology is useful for carbon dioxide adsorption and trace contamination adsorptionNano-micro technology is useful for down sizing and energy saving for Savatier reactorMNT-based Sensors for Astronaut Health Monitoring and Environmental Control are also promised field for Nano-micro technology