NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) 20160011251: EVA Suit Microbial Leakage Investigation Project

0.36 MB·English

by  NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Active Project (2015 - 2016)
EVA Suit Microbial Leakage Investigation Project
Center Independent Research & Developments: JSC IRAD Program | Space
Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
ABSTRACT
The objective of this project is to collect microbial samples from
various EVA suits to determine how much microbial
contamination is typically released during simulated planetary
exploration activities. Data will be released to the planetary
protection and science communities, and advanced EVA system
designers. In the best case scenario, we will discover that very
little microbial contamination leaks from our current or prototype
Form, Fit, and Function Testing of
suit designs, in the worst case scenario, we will identify leak EVA Swab With Mark III Suited
paths, learn more about what affects leakage--and we’ll have a Subject
new, flight-certified swab tool for our EVA toolbox.
Table of Contents
ANTICIPATED BENEFITS .A .b .s .t r.a .c .t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.A .n .t i.c .ip .a .t e. d. .B . e. n. e. f.i t.s . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To NASA funded missions: .D .e .t a. i.l e. d. .D .e .s .c .r i.p .t i.o .n . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.T .e .c .h .n .o .lo .g .y . M. .a .t u. r.i t.y . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suit test data will help advanced suit designers develop
U.S. Work Locations and Key
strategies for planetary protection compliance. Characterization
.P .a .r t.n .e .r s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
of suit microbial environment will also help quantify the .M . a. n. a. g. e. m. .e .n .t .T .e .a .m . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
effectiveness of suit cleaning processes and equipment between .T .e .c .h .n .o .lo .g .y . A. .r e. a. s. . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
suit uses, which may be important for crew health. .D .e .t a. i.l s. .f o. r. T. e. c. h. n. o. l.o .g .y .1 . . . . . . . .3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technology Maturity
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Start: 5 Current: 5 Estimated End: 7
NASA has a strategic knowledge gap (B5-3) regarding what life
signatures leak/vent from our Extravehicular Activity (EVA)
systems; this potentially impacts how we will search for
evidence of life at exploration destinations. Funding will be used
to fabricate and sterilize test consumables (swab tips), prepare
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Test Readiness Review products (such as materials
Applied Develop- Demo &
compatibility and hazard assessments), certify the EVA Swab
Research ment Test
Tool, participate in test opportunities as they arise, and perform
analysis on collected swabs.
Page 1
For more information visit techport.nasa.gov
Some NASA technology projects are smaller (for example SBIR/STTR, NIAC and Center
Innovation Fund), and will have less content than other, larger projects. Newly created projects
may not yet have detailed project information. Printed 1/26/2016
Active Project (2015 - 2016)
EVA Suit Microbial Leakage Investigation Project
Center Independent Research & Developments: JSC IRAD Program | Space
Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
U.S. WORK LOCATIONS AND KEY PARTNERS
Management Team
Program Director:
Jay Falker
Program Executive:
Christopher Baker
Program Manager:
Ronald Clayton
Project Manager:
Michelle Rucker
Technology Areas
Primary Technology Area:
Human Health, Life Support, and
Habitation Systems (TA 6)
U.S. States Lead Center:
With Work Johnson Space Center Other Technology Areas:
Environmental Control and
Life Support Systems and
Supporting Centers:
Habitation Systems (TA 6.1)
Ames Research Center Water Recovery and
Management (TA 6.1.2)
Goddard Space Flight Center
Brine Processing (TA 6.1.2.3)
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Other Organizations Performing Work:
The University of Florida
University of California at Davis
Page 2
For more information visit techport.nasa.gov
Some NASA technology projects are smaller (for example SBIR/STTR, NIAC and Center
Innovation Fund), and will have less content than other, larger projects. Newly created projects
may not yet have detailed project information. Printed 1/26/2016
Active Project (2015 - 2016)
EVA Suit Microbial Leakage Investigation Project
Center Independent Research & Developments: JSC IRAD Program | Space
Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
DETAILS FOR TECHNOLOGY 1
Technology Title
EVA Suit Microbial Leakage Investigation
Technology Description
This technology is categorized as a hardware subsystem for tools
NASA has a strategic knowledge gap (B5-3) regarding what life signatures leak/vent from our
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) systems; this potentially impacts how we will search for evidence of
life at exploration destinations. Funding will be used to fabricate and sterilize test consumables
(swab tips), prepare Test Readiness Review products (such as materials compatibility and hazard
assessments), certify the EVA Swab Tool, participate in test opportunities as they arise, and
perform analysis on collected swabs.
Capabilities Provided
Suit test data will help advanced suit designers develop strategies for planetary protection
compliance—for example, do fabric gauntlets over the wrist joints prevent leaked microbes from
migrating? Do neck dams help keep respirated microbes from migrating to one of the leakier
joints? By using fully suited crew to collect microbial samples, these tests also provide an
opportunity to practice the operational procedures needed to sample crewed equipment on Mars
and assess what we may be leaking out—or what kinds of contaminants Mars may be depositing
on our hardware.
Potential Applications
The objective of this project is to collect microbial samples from various EVA suits to determine
how much microbial contamination is typically released during simulated planetary exploration
activities. Data will be released to the planetary protection and science communities, and
advanced EVA system designers. In the best case scenario, we will discover that very little
microbial contamination leaks from our current or prototype suit designs, in the worst case
scenario, we will identify leak paths, learn more about what affects leakage--and we’ll have a new,
flight-certified swab tool for our EVA toolbox.
Page 3
For more information visit techport.nasa.gov
Some NASA technology projects are smaller (for example SBIR/STTR, NIAC and Center
Innovation Fund), and will have less content than other, larger projects. Newly created projects
may not yet have detailed project information. Printed 1/26/2016