Architecture

Abstract

For the Lunar-Mars Life Support Test Project (LMLSTP), the retrofit of an existing 6-meter (20-foot) vacuum chamber, renamed the Life Support Systems Integration Facility (LSSIF), was challenged to provide for a human's basic needs, in addition to those that would be required given the unique nature of the environment and test objectives. Located within a building at the Johnson Space Center, only a limited volume was available within the geometry of the chamber, which was already divided into three levels. Each floor provided approximately 29.1 square meters (314 square feet gross area) and 226.5 cubic meters (approximately 8000 cubic feet gross volume) for crew functions and equipment. Required was an overall plan to divide each of the levels into functional spaces, several serving as dual- or triple-use areas. The lower level was dedicated to most of the crew's public and group activities, the second level housed systems equipment, stowage, and occasional exercise equipment, and the upper level provided for crew privacy. Of importance was that the interior configuration and outfitting would need to address the safety of the crew. The design addressed potential mechanical and electrical hazards and endeavored to eliminate them. Fire safety and warning systems were employed. A lift was required on the upper level to allow for the safe exit of a crewmember in the event of an emergency. A considerable challenge confronting the team charged with the interior configuration was the materials from which the vacuum chamber had been constructed. Metal was the construction material of choice - an acoustics challenge to be sure. The selection of all interior surfaces and materials had several critical criteria that had to be met: they should be nonflammable, should produce minimal outgassing (within acceptable limits to the life support system), should be easy to maintain and clean using cleansers compatible with the recycling systems, depending upon use could not be porous, and would support acoustics abatement when possible. The "20'-Chamber" design for the LMLSTP was to provide for basic needs and to allow the outfitting of a number of crew functions: external/internal communications, general meeting capability, personal hygiene, health care, food preparation and associated stowage, dining, exercise, sleep, crew privacy, general stowage, cleaning of clothing, recreation, trash management, and installation of equipment required to support the tests.