Advanced Multi-Gas Sensor

Space suit Portable Life Support System (PLSS) is critically important for the successful support of the International Space Station (ISS) and future human space exploration missions for in-space micro-gravity extravehicular activities (EVA) and planetary surface operations. As the design for the new Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) is developed, there are obvious gaps in technologies that need to be fulfilled to meet the new exploration requirements. In particular, the currently employed gas sensors are functionally limited and draw significant power. The proposed advanced spacesuit gas sensor addresses the critical need of developing a reliable, compact, rugged and low-power multi-gas sensor as a part of the PLSS for the current and future Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMU). The goal is to develop a moisture tolerant, drop-in replacement for the current sensor. The performance characteristics of the multi-gas sensor will meet the requirements for spacesuit gas detection. In Phase I, a laboratory bench prototype of the multi-gas sensor will be designed, built and characterized over a wide range of gas mixture compositions, total pressures and temperatures including condensing moisture conditions. The engineering challenges of miniaturizing and ruggedizing the instrument will be addressed, and a general design of the Phase II prototype will be outlined. In Phase II, the prototype gas sensor will be built, tested, and delivered to NASA.

The proposed multi-gas sensor is relevant to the new Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU), International Space Station (ISS), future NASA Moon and Mars missions (e.g., Artemis III), as well as commercial space companies. Another potential NASA application is measurement of major atmospheric constituents in spacecraft cabin. The sensor will provide complete characterization of cabin atmosphere composition by measuring O2, N2, CO2, and water vapor.

The multi-gas sensor can be used as atmospheric analyzer for submarines. Upon some modifications, the technology can be adapted for monitoring oxygen and nitrogen levels in On-Board Oxygen Generation Systems (OBOGS) in military aircraft and for monitoring hydrogen and methane in natural gas within pipelines.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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