International Space Station (ISS) Airlock Crewlock Depressurization MethodsThe International Space Station (ISS) Airlock Crewlock can be depressurized via various methods. The ISS Airlock is divided into two major sections, the Equipment Lock and Crewlock. The Equipment Lock, as the name indicates, contains the equipment to support EVA activities including Extravehicular Maneuvering/Mobility Unit (EMU) maintenance and refurbishment. The Equipment Lock also contains basic life support equipment in order to support denitrogenzation protocols while the Airlock is isolated from the rest of the ISS. The Crewlock is the section of the Airlock that is depressurized to allow for Extravehicular Activity (EVA) crewmembers to exit the ISS for performance of EVAs. As opposed to the Equipment Lock, the Crewlock is quite simple and basically just contains lights and an assembly to provide services, oxygen, coolant, etc, to the EMUs. For operational flexibility, various methods were derived for Crewlock depressurization. Herein these various different methods of ISS Airlock Crewlock depressurization will be described including their performance, impacts, and risks associated with each method. Each of the different methods will be discussed with flight data, if it exists. Models will be applied to flight cases and to other methods that have not been used on-orbit at this time.
Document ID
20060023368
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Williams, David E. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Leonard, Daniel J. (Boeing Co. Houston, TX, United States)
Booth, Valori J. (Boeing Co. Houston, TX, United States)
Russell, Matt (Boeing Co. Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-8525SAE-2004-01-2594
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Conference on Environmental Systems