Archived by Raymond J. Noonan, Ph.D., Health and Physical Education Department, Fashion Institute of Technology of the State University of New York (FIT-SUNY), and SexQuest/The Sex Institute, NYC, for the benefit of students and other researchers interested in the human aspects of the space life sciences. Return to first page for background information on these pages.
ENVIROMENTAL CONTROL AND LIFE SUPPORT
According to "Designing For Human Presence in Space: An Introduction to Environmental Control and Life Support Systems," the following functions are required in an Enviromental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS, pronounced "Ee-kliss"):The functions of the ECLSS include only those environmental controls necessary to support life. They don't include other living accomodations, ergonomic, social or psychological requirements such as cabin lighting systems, private bedrooms, living quarters decoration, entertainment, clothing, mobility/station-keeping aids (bungee cords, grip shoes, gray tape, etc.), communication with Earth, and many others. In NASA's spacecraft system taxonomy, those are "crew systems" (formerly "man-systems") or "comm system" things, not life support. You could survive using a life support system which provides those basic ECLSS functions, but you wouldn't thrive or work productively.
- Atmosphere revitalization
- CO2 removal
- CO2 reduction
- O2 generation/supply
- Trace contaminant monitoring and control
- Microorganism control
- Atmosphere control and supply
- Monitoring major constituents
- Atmosphere composition control
- Atmosphere constituent storage
- Pressure control
- Temperature and humidity control
- Temperature control
- Humidity control
- Ventilation
- Equipment cooling
- Water recovery and management
- Water storage & distribution
- Water recovery
- Water quality monitoring
- Waste management
- Metabolic waste management
- Other solid waste
- Liquid/gaseous waste
- Fire detection and suppression
- Detection of incipient fires
- Suppression of fires
- Cleanup after a fire
- Other functions
- Food storage and preparation
- Plant growth facilities
- Radiation protection
- External dust removal
- Thermally conditioned storage
- Hyperbaric chamber and airlock
The traditional ECLSS also does not deal with industrial or laboratory waste products which would be generated by any permanent space structure. You'd need a way to recycle those or otherwise dispose of them.
The ECLSS in a permanent facility would also have to deal with disposal of deceased crewmembers in a humane, psychologically sound manner. If your colonists ever hope to go back to Earth, or if there are some unknown gravity-dependent processes in human development, you may need artificial gravity or a planetary surface.
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Last modified: Jan 12, 1995Author: Ken Jenks
Raymond J. Noonan, Ph.D. Health and Physical Education Department Fashion Institute of Technology of the State University of New York (FIT-SUNY); SexQuest/The Sex Institute, NYC P.O. Box 20166, New York, NY 10014 (212) 217-7460 |
Author of: R. J. Noonan. (1998). A Philosophical Inquiry into the Role of Sexology in Space Life Sciences Research and Human Factors Considerations for Extended Spaceflight. Dr. Ray Noonan’s Dissertation Information Pages: [Abstract] [Table of Contents] [Preface] [AsMA 2000 Presentation Abstract] |
First published on the Web on June 14, 1998