CO2 Utilization Technology in Crewed Space

CO2 is an underutilized, renewable resource in crewed space vehicles and habitats. On the ISS, it is currently vented to space and has been partially used for Oxygen reclamation via the Sabatier system and Oxygen Generator Assembly. Collins Aerospace is exploring the feasibility of technologies that can allow CO2 to be better utilized. The scope of this work considers uses such as cleaning laundry, active thermal control, dust mitigation, and waste processing, which directly address NASA identified technology shortfalls for future Artemis missions involving prolonged human presence on the Moon and Mars. The benefits of improved utilization of CO2 are less reliance on resupplied consumables, reduced payload costs, and more sustainable systems for long duration missions. These systems could be designed to be open loop or closed loop. This paper discusses potential uses of CO2 for upcoming missions and lunar exploration.