Design Status of the Closed-Loop Air Revitalization System ARES for Accommodation on the ISS

1 The Closed-Loop A ir RE vitalisation S ystem ARES is a proof of technology Payload. The objective of ARES is to demonstrate with regenerative processes: the provision of the capability for carbon dioxide removal from the module atmosphere, the return supply of breathable oxygen within a closed-loop process, the conversion of the hydrogen, resulting from the oxygen generation via electrolysis, to water. The ARES Payload is foreseen to be installed - in 2012 - onboard the ISS in the Columbus Module. The operation of ARES - in a representative manned microgravity environment - will produce valuable operational data on a system which is based on technologies which are different from other air revitalization systems presently in use. The ARES Technology Demonstrator Payload development started in 2003 with a Phase B, see references [ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ] and [ 4 ]. ARES is presently in Phase C1 and a PDR is scheduled for the beginning of 2009. This paper summarizes the design development work performed in present phase C1 and comprises an outlook on near-term development tasks in support of the ARES PDR in early 2009.Cross Reference: