Regenerative water supply for an interplanetary space station: The experience gained on the space stations “Salut”, “Mir”, ISS and development prospects

• Published in: Acta astronautica 2007-06, Vol.61 (1), p.8-15
• Main Authors: Bobe, Leonid, Samsonov, Nikoly, Gavrilov, Lev, Novikov, Vladimir, Tomashpolskiy, Mihail, Andreychuk, Peter, Protasov, Nikoly, Synjak, Yury, Skuratov, Vladimir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensates; International Space Station; Interplanetary space; Recovery; Space stations; Stations; Urine; Water reclamation; Water supplies
• ISSN: 0094-5765; 1879-2030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2007.01.003

Based on the experience in operation of Russian space stations Salut, Mir and International space station ISS the station's water balance data, parameters and characteristics of the systems for water recovery have been obtained. Using the data design analysis an integrated water supply system for an interplanetary space station has been performed. A packaged physical/chemical system for water supply is composed of an integrated system for water recovery from humidity condensate, green house condensate, water from carbon dioxide reduction system and condensate from urine system; a system for water reclamation from urine; hygiene water processing system and a water storage system. The take off mass of the packaged water supply system (including expendables, redundancy hardware, equivalent mass of power consumption and of thermal control) is appropriate for Mars missions. The international space station is indispensable for verifying innovative processes and new water recovery systems intended for missions to Mars.