Physics - Space travel

Life Support

In order for an astronaut to be able to ‘live’ in space, the environment in which they occupy must be similar to that of their original location, Earth. The Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) of a human bearing space craft consists of many aspects. The seven main different aspects are;
• Atmosphere Control, Supply and Recycling
• Water
• Temperature Control
• Light
• Food
• Waste Removal
• Fire Protection

Atmosphere Control, Supply and Recycling

Within the space vessel the following is needed for a crew to survive:
• An atmosphere similar to Earth – achieved by using liquid oxygen and nitrogen tanks to produce a gas mixture consisting of approx. 78% oxygen and 22% nitrogen at the correct pressure of 14lbs/in2 throughout the ship.
• Breathed out carbon dioxide removed - by chemically using soda lime. The carbon dioxide is trapped in the soda lime by a chemical reaction and removed f...