National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Innovation Research & Technology Transfer 2003 Program Solicitations
TOPIC F4 Habitation, BioAstronautics and Extravehicular Activity
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F4.01 Extravehicular Activity Productivity
F4.02 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.
F4.01 Extravehicular Activity Productivity
Lead Center: JSC
Advanced extravehicular activity (EVA) systems are necessary for the successful human exploration and development of many destinations and applications beyond low Earth orbit. Complex missions to the Moon, Mars, Earth-Moon L1, Sun-Earth L2, and other remote sites require innovative, flexible and affordable approaches which maximize human productivity and provide the capability to safely perform useful work. Requirements include maximum commonality to many applications/destinations, reduction of system hardware 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 guidance in the form of the latest Agency Strategic Plan and relevant EVA implementation tactics can be found at http://www.nasa.gov/about/budget/ and http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/xa/advanced.html. Areas in which innovations are solicited include the following:
Environmental Protection
- Passive and active radiation protection technologies that protect the suited crewmember from radiation particles at Libration Points, as well as planetary surface environments.
- Dust and abrasion protection materials to exclude dust and withstand abrasion.
EVA Mobility
- Light weight honeycomb or appropriate core structural material for use in a space suit hard upper torso shell structure that would provide integral micrometeoroid/orbital debris and limited radiation particle protection.
Life Support System
- Long-life and high-capacity oxygen storage, supply and recharge systems for normal and 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.
- 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.
- Space water membrane evaporators for a space suit.
- Thermal control systems which can provide either heating or cooling to the EVA crewmember depending on the environment and metabolic rate. Systems must be lightweight, but can require power below 150 W and total energy below 1200 W hrs. A system level portable life support system radiator with an area of approximately 1-meter square can also be used.
Sensors/Communications/Cameras
- Space suit mounted displays for use both inside and outside the space suit. Outside mounted displays must be low profile and compatible with space environment. Internal displays must be 100 percent 02 safe, unobtrusive and ultimately project onto the helmet visor.
- CO2, bio-med, and core temperature sensors with reduced size, lightweight, increased reliability, and packaging flexibility.
- IR camera that displays temperature of environment for safe handling of objects, geology science support and is integratable onto a space suit or rover.
Integration
- Minimum gas loss and low power airlock providing quick exit and entry and can accommodate an incapacitated crewmember.
- Simple, lightweight, non-metallic, environmentally hardened manual or powered tools for driving fasteners in zero gravity.
- Innovative self-locking, multi-use captive fasteners for EVA.
- Tether hooks for equipment or EVA crewmembers.
- Low profile, low power and flexible body/limb mobility sensors, signal conditioners and software for immediate mobility data analysis. Can be used internally or externally of space suit for mobility joint analysis and testing.
- Portable and autonomous system for real time mapping capability and crewmember position and location determination during EVA zero gravity or planetary surface exploration without the need for a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system.
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F4.02 Crew Habitability Systems
Lead Center: JSC
Advanced habitation systems include 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 enables 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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