{"id":458,"date":"2018-03-22T20:50:32","date_gmt":"2018-03-22T20:50:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sustainspace.com\/?p=458"},"modified":"2024-03-07T03:10:05","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T03:10:05","slug":"airbus-esa-advanced-closed-loop-system-acls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sustainspace.com\/?p=458","title":{"rendered":"Airbus ESA Advanced Closed Loop System (ACLS)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Two<\/a>

ACLS technology demonstrator generates oxygen and water in a closed system<\/p><\/div>\n

The\u00a0Advanced Closed Loop System<\/em> (ACLS) is an advanced life support system that has been\u00a0developed by\u00a0Airbus for the European Space Agency (ESA)\u00a0to be used as a technology demonstrator on the ISS, in the Destiny<\/em> module, from summer 2018.\u00a0The ACLS will be installed in the HTV-7 space transporter at the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan and is due to be transported to the ISS in August 2018. It is set to be operated\u00a0for a period of one year.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The\u00a0ACLS will purify air and produce oxygen for the International Space Station (ISS). Specifically, the ACLS extracts a portion of the carbon dioxide in the cabin atmosphere. Then, using hydrogen obtained from splitting water molecules, it will convert the carbon dioxide into methane and water in what is known as the Sabatier process. Oxygen is then produced from this water using electrolysis. Airbus asserts that this will increase overall system efficiency and hence reduce the need for supplies from Earth.<\/p>\n

The main advantage claimed for the ACLS is the use of the adsorbent Astrine<\/em>, a solid amine resin, which has a high adsorption capacity even at the\u00a0carbon dioxide levels in the cabin air. The\u00a0ACLS will be contained in an International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR).<\/p>\n

A future use for the\u00a0ACLS may be for the Deep Space Gateway \/ Lunar Outpost. NASA is reported to be looking to the ESA for part of the habitat.<\/p>\n

Sources:<\/h2>\n