Mission Day Instructions

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Overview

The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLS) on the space station maintains the astronauts' environment. It makes sure that the atmospheric pressure and mixture of gases stay within a normal, Earth-like range and that the air is free of contaminants. It is also responsible for controlling the temperature and recycling or storing waste. A disruption to any part of the ECLS system could result in a dangerous situation for the astronauts.

As part of the Life Support Team, you receive atmospheric data from an instrument called the Major Constituent Analyzer. Once the data is received, your team is responsible for recording and graphing the data, and making calculations. You must communicate the conditions within the space station to the other teams. In the event of an emergency, you recommend ways to protect the space station and the crew. 

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Your Task

• Study Life Support Reference Guide. Read the information on hypoxia (lower oxygen levels) and carbon dioxide poisoning.
• Practice analyzing data, making calculations, graphing, and developing recommendations.
• Monitor all atmospheric changes and report the changes and the effects the changes might have upon the astronauts.
• Recommend adjustments to the atmosphere to avoid a dangerous situation. 

To do your job effectively, the Life Support Team should be able to:

1. Describe the parts of the environmental control system critical to the health of the crew.
2. Know how the crew can get additional oxygen.
3. Know the effects of carbon dioxide.
4. Know what happens to human beings if oxygen levels fall below normal. (hypoxia)
5. Review each atmospheric component.

You should be able to answer the following questions:

• O2: What happens when oxygen levels fall below normal?
• CO2: What happens to humans when carbon dioxide levels rise above normal?
• H2O: How can water vapor harm the Space Station?
• Air Pressure & N2: What role does air pressure and nitrogen play in keeping air quality in balance?