National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Innovation Research 2002 Program Solicitations

TOPIC H4 Habitation and Bioastronautics

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H4.01 Extravehicular Activity Productivity
H4.02 Crew Habitability Systems

The goal of this topic is to assure robust and reliable capabilities to support health and safety of human explorers during long-duration space missions. In addition, it is the goal of this topic to drive down the cost of human exploration missions and campaigns beyond Earth orbit and to develop and demonstrate critically-needed capabilities for human activities in space. Some selected objectives of this topic include 1) developing innovative, affordable and highly operable new technologies for extra-vehicular activity (EVA) systems and advanced space habitation systems, and 2) establishing a foundation for profitable commercial development of space applications of these technologies in the mid- to far-term.

H4.01 Extravehicular Activity Productivity
Lead Center: JSC

Advanced extravehicular activity (EVA) systems are necessary for the successful support of future human space missions. Complex missions require innovative approaches for maximizing human productivity and for providing the capability to perform useful work tasks. Requirements include reduction of system hard-ware weight and volume; increased hardware reliability, durability, and operating lifetime (before resupply, recharge and maintenance, or replacement is necessary); reduced hardware and software costs; increased human comfort; and less-restrictive work performance capability in the space environment, in hazardous ground-level contaminated atmospheres, or in extreme ambient thermal environments. All proposed Phase I research must lead to specific Phase-II experimental development that could be integrated into a functional EVA system. Additional design information on advanced EVA systems can be found in the EVA Technology Roadmap of the EVA Project Plan. Areas in which innovations are solicited include the following:

Environmental Protection

• Radiation protection technologies that protect the suited crewmember from radiation particles.
• Puncture protection technologies that provide self-sealing capabilities when a puncture occurs and minimizes punctures and cuts from sharp objects.
• Dust and abrasion protection materials to exclude dust and withstand abrasion.
• Thermal insulation suitable for use in vacuum and low ambient pressure.

EVA Mobility

• Space suit low profile bearings that maximizes rotation that is necessary for partial gravity mobility requirements and is also lightweight and low cost.

Life Support System

• Long-life and high-capacity chemical oxygen storage systems for an emergency supply of oxygen for breathing.
• Low-venting or non-venting regenerable individual life support subsystem(s) concepts for crew-member cooling, heat rejection, and removal of expired water vapor and CO₂.
• Fuel cell technology that can provide power to a space suit and other EVA support systems.
• Convection and freezable radiators that will be low cost and weight for thermal control.
• Innovative garments that provide direct thermal control to crewmember.
• High reliability pumps and fans which will provide flow for a space suit but can be stacked to give greater flow for a vehicle.
• CO₂ and humidity control devices which, while minimizing expendables, function in a CO₂ environment.
• Variable conductance flexible suit garment that can function as a radiator for high metabolic loads and as an insulator for low metabolic loads.

Sensors/Communications/Cameras

• Space suit mounted displays for use both inside and outside the space suit. Outside mounted displays will be compatible with space.
• CO₂, bio-med, and core temperature sensors with reduced size, lightweight, increased reliability, and packaging flexibility.
• Visual camera that provides excellent environment awareness for crewmember and public and are integratable into a spacesuit that is light weight and low power.
• Mini-mass spectrometer that detects N₂, CO₂, NH₄, O₂, and hydrazine partial pressures.
• Radio/laser communications that provides good communications among crew and base that is lightweight and low power.

Integration

• Robotics interfaces that permit autonomous robot control by voice control via EVA.
• Minimum gas loss airlock providing quick exit and entry and can accommodate an incapacitated crewmember.
• Work tools that assist the EVA crewmember during operations in zero-gravity and at worksites. Specifically, devices that provide temporary attachments, that rigidly restrain equipment to other equipment and the EVA crewmember, and that contain provisions for tethering and storage of loose articles such as tool sockets and extensions.

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H4.02 Crew Habitability Systems
Lead Center: JSC

Advanced habitation systems includes the overall habitat system and its crew supporting habitability functions within. Habitability systems technology are being sought to enable Human Exploration and Development of Space Enterprise future orbital, planetary and deep space applications. Space station and planetary habitation and habitability systems in areas such as crew work, food, hygiene, rest, and logistics, maintenance and repair systems are being sought out for innovative solutions with reliability, durability, repairability, radiation protection, packaging efficiency and life-cycle cost effectiveness. Integration of workstations, integrated sensors, circuitry, automated components, integrated outfitting and advanced workstation evolution to aid and enable the crew to work autonomously are considered necessary for advanced habitation. Development in crew food systems in the areas of food heating, preparation, dining and trash management enable a cohesive habitable environment for the crew. Technology development in crew hygiene systems such as waste collection, personal hygiene, multi-use equipment and hygiene evolution enable a habitable environment for the crew.

The Space Station and Space Launch Initiative are of most interest and consideration of flight-testing in space should be considered. The Near-Earth missions such the Moon and Mars are also of interest. Areas in which advanced habitability system innovations are solicited include the following technologies for use in space (zero gravity) and/or the planetary surfaces:

Advanced Habitability Systems
Crew Food Systems: Create food systems to package, preserve quality food and lightweight, low power, food preparation systems to support on-orbit crew meal storage, preparation and dining activities.

• Food Heating Systems (Conduction, Convection, Microwave)
• Wardroom, Deployable Outfitting
• Trash Management, Recycling, Dual Use

Crew Hygiene Systems: Create crew hygiene systems that are lightweight, low power, low volume systems to support on-orbit crew waste and hygiene activities.

• Waste Collection, Gas/liquid separator, Urine Separator
• Crew Hygiene, No-rinse Hygiene Products, Non-foaming gas/liquid separator (handle soaps)
• Integrated Systems & Outfitting

Crew Rest Systems: Create crew rest systems that are lightweight, low power, low volume systems to support on-orbit sleeping and privacy activities.

• Crew Quarters, Radiation Protection, Acoustic Control, Quiet Air Ventilation
• Relaxation/Recreation, Interactive VR Systems
• Integrated Systems & Outfitting

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