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Active TRL 5 (started at 4, targeting 6)
The Life Support Systems project Carbon Dioxide Removal and Management project includes development of systems that remove CO2 from a crewed cabin and manage the flow rate of removed CO2 to a downstream CO2 reduction system. In general, the goal of these efforts is to develop technology demonstrations of systems and components for future exploration vehicles. A long duration platform for testing in a relevant environment would enable the evaluation and certification of the technology candidates for future missions. The project is developing a liquid amine technology to remove CO2 from a spacesuit and cabin, as well as regenerate liquid amines in a space suit after Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA). In addition, the project is using cold surfaces to collect volatile organic compounds and remove them from a CO2 stream to minimize fouling of downstream CO2 reduction systems.
Efforts include:
Carbon Dioxide Removal by Ionic Liquids System (CDRILS): Development of a 2-crew scale CO2 removal system that uses ionic liquids to be demonstrated in a spacecraft cabin, surface rover, and a space suit.
CO2 Cold Surface Deposition (CDep) for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) removal from a CO2 stream to be demonstrated in a spacecraft cabin and surface rover.
Maintaining low CO2 levels is critical for astronaut health. These technology developments may provide the function of removing CO2 with a system different from the state-of-the art that could potentially be more reliable and require less resources to operate.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
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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