The Exploration Life Support project provides
new solutions to the life support issues of human space flight.
The Exploration Life Support project was established to address
the specific needs of the Exploration Program. As a result
the Exploration Life Support project will first focus on technologies
for the Crew Exploration Vehicle, then lunar sortie and lunar
outpost, and finally the mission to Mars. This progression
in mission requirements is directly related to a progression
from open loop life support systems to closed loop life support
systems.
The primary goal of the Exploration Life Support project
is to develop the life support technologies to a technology
readiness level of 6 which is achieved by testing integrated
systems in a relevant environment. This level of technology
maturation will be scheduled for completion prior to the
PDR of each targeted Exploration Program mission in order
to give the prime contractor sufficient time to incorporate
the technology into the respective program. The primary
areas of focus for Exploration Life Support technology development
include air revitalization, water recovery, waste management,
and habitation. Please explore the links on the navigation
bar to the left and learn more details about these and other
areas of life support.