IGF::OT::IGF THE CREW AND THERMAL SYSTEMS DIVISION AT JSC IS DESIGNING, DEVELOPING, INTEGRATING, AND TESTIN…

Public award description

IGF::OT::IGF THE CREW AND THERMAL SYSTEMS DIVISION AT JSC IS DESIGNING, DEVELOPING, INTEGRATING, AND TESTING AN ADVANCED EXPLORATION SYSTEMS (AES) ADVANCED SPACE SUIT PORTABLE LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM (PLSS). THE PURPOSE OF THE PLSS IS TO MAINTAIN LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES TO A SUITED CREW-MEMBER DURING AUTONOMOUS AND VEHICLE INTERFACE OPERATIONS. THE PLSS IS DESIGNED WITH FIVE LOOPS THAT WHEN INTEGRATED TOGETHER PROVIDE THE LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES: PRIMARY OXYGEN, SECONDARY OXYGEN, VENTILATION, THERMAL CONTROL, AND A CAUTION AND WARNING SYSTEM (CWS). THE PLSS HAS PROGRESSED THROUGH DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, INTEGRATION, AND TESTING CULMINATING IN A SCHEMATIC, PLSS 1.0 INTEGRATED SYSTEM (BREAD-BOARD LEVEL WHICH VERIFIED THE SCHEMATIC), PLSS 2.0 INTEGRATED SYSTEM (NITROGEN COMPATIBLE, UNMANNED INITIAL PACKAGED PLSS). THE DESIGN OF A PLSS 2.5 (FINAL PACKAGING WITH ADDED ENVIRONMENTS) IS UNDERWAY. THE PLAN IS TO CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT BEYOND PLSS 2.5 TO A PLSS 3.0 (HUMAN-RATED OXYGEN COMPATIBLE). DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION (DDT&E) OF PLSS COMPONENTS, LABORATORY SUPPORT, AND ANALYSIS WILL BE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE PLSS 2.5 FULLY INTEGRATED SYSTEM AS WELL AS PROGRESS TOWARD PLSS 3.0.