Dynamic Sampling of Cabin VOCs during the Mission Operations Test of the Deep Space Habitat

摘要

The atmospheric composition inside spacecraft is dynamic and is influenced by changes in crew metabolism and payload operations. A portable Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) gas analyzer was used to monitor the atmospheric composition of four modules (Core lab, Vegetable plant atrium, Hygiene module, and Xhab loft) within the Deep Space Habitat (DSH) during the Mission Operations Test (MOT) conducted at the Johnson Space Center. The different modules were monitored by either physically relocating the FTIR to a new location or by altering the plumbing so that various locations could be monitored throughout the MOT. The FTIR monitored 20 compounds and the FTIR was zeroed using nitrogen gas every time it was relocated. The procedures developed for operating the FTIR were successful, as all desired data was collected and the FTIR performed nominally during the entire MOT. Not all the 20 gases were detected, but it was possible to measure dynamic concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOC) concentrations in each DSH location. Data from the Vegetable atrium and from the Hygiene module of DSH are presented.