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Space Station trash removal systemA trash removal system for space stations is described. The system is comprised of a disposable trash bag member and an attached, compacted large, lightweight inflatable balloon element. When the trash bag member is filled, the astronaut places the bag member into space through an airlock. Once in the vacuum of space, the balloon element inflates. Due to the large cross-sectional area of the balloon element relative to its mass, the combined balloon element and the trash bag member are slowed by atmospheric drag to a much greater extent than the Space Station's. The balloon element and bag member lose altitude and re-enter the atmosphere, and the elements and contents are destroyed by aerodynamic heating. The novelty of this system is in the unique method of using the vacuum of space and aerodynamic heating to dispose of waste material with a minimum of increase in orbital debris.
Document ID
19940015894
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other - Patent
Authors
Petro, Andrew J.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
September 7, 1993
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Accession Number
94N20367
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Patent
US-PATENT-5,242,134|NASA-CASE-MSC-21723-1
Patent Application
US-PATENT-APPL-SN-887001
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