Thermal/environmental control and life support system requirements for future space application

Thermal/environmental control systems concepts being considered for the power module and manned orbital facilities are described. To assure an economically viable program, the approach being pursued is utilization of existing hardware, where possible, and construction of orbital facilities in modular fashion to meet anticipated growth of space processing, astronomy, life science, solar/terrestrial observation, construction, etc. Configurations include Orbiter tended missions (Orbiter remains attached to orbiting facility) and freeflying manned or unmanned earth-orbiting facilities. Utilization of shuttle hardware, e. g., external tank, or the currently orbiting Skylab vehicle is being considered for orbital facilities. Studies include use of Spacelab hardware with a power module to permit extending on-orbit mission time beyond the capability of the current space transportation system. Power levels of 25 kW are being considered for the power module. Mission duration is not limited due to the modular approach and the concept of utilizing a logistics module to provide consumables' resupply capability to the orbital facility.