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The Role of Toxicity Testing in NASA's Future MissionsNASA has deemed it necessary to perform the Toxicity Test (offgassing of toxic products) on all non-metallic materials proposed for use in habitable environments onboard the Shuttle and International Space Station flS,!J. This requirement stems from the desire to maintain a healthy, breathable atmosphere for the astronauts. As Shuttle missions have lengthened and with the habitation of the International Space Station, the need for understanding and controlling the contaminants in breathable atmospheres has increased. The increased duration of humans in space present two concerns to the astronauts with regard to their breathing air: 1. Breathing the on-board air. 2. Improved cleaning/filtering of existing air. Trends using existing toxicity data for materials and an understanding of the air cleaning/filtering capabilities in relation to Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations (SMAC) of offgassed components are explored. Recommendations are made for materials selection practices that should be followed to ensure a safe and healthy breathing environment for astronauts aboard these long term projects. The importance and relevance of Toxicity testing and materials selection in conjunction with the new NASA missions of creating a human presence on the Moon and traveling to Mars are described.
Document ID
20050207505
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Whitfield, Steve
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Davis, Samuel
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Wise, Harry
(Integrated Concepts and Research Corp. Washington, DC, United States)
Moore, Robin
(Integrated Concepts and Research Corp. Washington, DC, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 2005
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Meeting Information
Meeting: National Space and Missile Materials Symposium
Location: Summerlin, NV
Country: United States
Start Date: June 27, 2005
End Date: July 1, 2005
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-01050
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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