This paper discusses the current state of technology in reduced gravity fire suppression. The focus is on the unique issues associated with the CEV and future spacecraft including operation in reduced gravity and enriched oxygen ambients. Inert gas agents such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen and helium have different minimum extinguishing concentrations (MEC) in microgravity compared to normal gravity; in most instances the MEC in microgravity being higher than in normal gravity. This means that designs based on terrestrial standards will not offer the same factor of safety in microgravity. The results also show that the MEC is a strong function of ambient oxygen concentration in reduced gravity (as expected).
Fire Suppression Technology in Human-Crewed Spacecraft -A Trade Study
Sae Technical Papers
International Conference On Environmental Systems ; 2007
2007-07-09
Conference paper
English
Dream Chaser Commercial Crewed Spacecraft Overview
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2011
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