Fundamentals of Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Training by Tonex

Fundamentals of Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) is a 2-day course where participants are introduced to the fundamental principles and challenges of maintaining a habitable environment in space.

Participants also learn how to analyze and design ECLSS systems for different space missions and habitats.

Providing a livable environment in the harshness of space is the function of the environmental control and life support system (ECLSS).

The ECLSS is composed of several subsystems. For example, the main job of the thermal-control part of the ECLSS is to regulate and control the amount of heat that gets in, goes out, and moves around inside a spacecraft.

Just as the furnace and air conditioner do in our homes, the thermal-control subsystem regulates and moderates the spacecraft’s temperature. To maintain thermal equilibrium, the ECLSS must balance inputs and outputs, as well as internal heat sources. This means the heat coming in plus the heat produced internally must equal the total heat ejected:

Heat Out = Heat In + Internal Heat (for thermal equilibrium).

Life support systems ideally will recycle supplies shuttled up from Earth. Water, for example, is recycled with a water processor utilizing wastewater and water vapor. It is reclaimed from a urine processor and humidity control unit. The water is then cleaned, and given right back to astronauts for drinking.

This loop system still requires an additional amount of water input but are increasingly efficient based on chemical reactions but will have to be 100% efficient for future space travel including missions to Mars.

At its most basic level, life support systems like ECLSS must address core human needs. The necessary components of a life support system address:

• Potable water supply trough water reclamation
• Food supply
• Breathable cabin air supply (oxygen generation system)
• Air pressure control (maintained at 101.kPa)
• Air temperature regulation through a heat exchanger
• Human waste management and waste disposal
• Fire detection and suppression

Beyond these core needs, additional life support systems might also address shielding the human body from external factors such as radiation and micrometeorites.

This is particularly important in the space suits astronauts wear when performing extravehicular activities such as spacewalks.

Fundamentals of Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) byTonex

Fundamentals of Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) course provides a comprehensive study of the design, operation, and management of life support systems in space missions. It covers the critical systems and technologies necessary to maintain a habitable environment and sustain human life during long-duration space missions, including life support, air revitalization, water management, and waste management.

Audience:

This course is designed for professionals in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related fields. It is also suitable for professionals working in the space industry who seek to expand their knowledge of ECLSS systems.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental principles and challenges of maintaining a habitable environment in space.
• Analyze and design ECLSS systems for different space missions and habitats.
• Evaluate the performance and efficiency of various subsystems within an ECLSS.
• Apply systems engineering approaches to integrate ECLSS components into spacecraft.
• Assess the impact of ECLSS on crew health, safety, and mission success.
• Identify key technologies and innovations in ECLSS design and operation.
• Analyze case studies of past and current ECLSS systems in space missions.
• Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams to solve ECLSS-related problems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of ECLSS-related regulations, standards, and ethical considerations.
• Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the context of ECLSS design and operation.

Course Outline:

Introduction to Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS)

• • Overview of the importance and challenges of life support systems in space missions
  • Historical development and evolution of ECLSS technology
  • Environmental requirements and constraints in space habitats

Human Physiology and Life Support Requirements

• • Human physiological needs in space: air, water, food, and waste management
  • Effects of microgravity and space radiation on human health
  • Life support requirements for different mission durations and destinations

Air Revitalization Systems

• • Atmospheric composition control and management
  • Carbon dioxide removal techniques
  • Oxygen generation and control systems

Water Management Systems

• • Water sources and recycling methods in space
  • Water purification and recycling techniques
  • Water conservation and reclamation strategies

Thermal Control Systems

• • Heat transfer mechanisms in space habitats
  • Thermal regulation and control techniques
  • Heat rejection and insulation systems

Waste Management Systems

• • Collection and containment of solid and liquid waste
  • Waste processing and recycling technologies
  • Hygiene and sanitary considerations in space habitats

Integration and Control of ECLSS Components

• • System integration challenges and approaches
  • Control systems and automation in ECLSS operation
  • Monitoring and diagnostics for ECLSS performance

Advanced ECLSS Technologies and Innovations

• • Emerging technologies and research in life support systems
  • Closed-loop systems and regenerative life support
  • Environmental monitoring and predictive maintenance techniques

ECLSS Case Studies

• • Analysis of ECLSS systems used in past and current space missions
  • Lessons learned from successes and failures in ECLSS implementation
  • Evaluation of ECLSS requirements and performance in long-duration missions

Regulations, Standards, and Ethical Considerations in ECLSS

• • Overview of regulatory frameworks and standards for ECLSS
  • Ethical considerations in managing human life support in space
  • Health and safety considerations in ECLSS design and operation

Team Projects and Presentations

• • Collaborative projects to design and analyze ECLSS systems
  • Presentations of project findings and recommendations
  • Peer review and feedback sessions