Tim Furniss
Hamilton Sundstrand has won a $115 million contract from NASA to design, develop and qualify water and oxygen generator assemblies for the International Space Station.
It will be one of the "largest development programmes undertaken by the company", which will shortly be renamed Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International (HSSSI), following the acquisition on 10 June of Sundstrand by United Technologies.
The water and oxygen processors will be installed on the ISS Node 3 which will be launched in 2003 to provide living quarters for the crew.
The processors are integral to the ISS's "closed loop" approach of providing the life support for long duration missions. Regenerative life support systems reduce the need for regular delivery of water and oxygen.
The oxygen system will provide air at ambient pressure and will replenish any oxygen lost by experiment ingestation, airlock depressurisaton, carbon dioxide venting or leakage.
Water will be produced through waste water reclamation. Crew urine, cabin humidity condensate and waste hygiene water will be processed to potable water.
HSSSI provides life supports systems for the Space Shuttle and is prime contractor for the EVA suit used by astronauts.
Source: Flight Daily News
