Martian Exploration Portable Life Support System Schematic Study

The Mars environment poses unique challenges for portable life support system (PLSS) technologies supporting extravehicular activities (EVA) that necessitate modifications to the NASA baseline exploration PLSS (xPLSS) design. This work details a landmark schematic study conducted to identify and recommend the most promising Martian Exploration PLSS (mxPLSS) architectures for consideration and further evaluation. Conducted from January 2024 to September 2024, the study began with a blank sheet approach to pinpoint technologies that could potentially satisfy each mxPLSS major function. A comprehensive list of over 80 technologies was compiled. These technologies were filtered down based on mxPLSS guidelines established during the project and a preliminary equivalent system mass (ESM) analyses under nominal Martian environmental conditions. By considering only unique combinations of the most feasible technology options, seven mxPLSS schematics with the lowest overall mass were identified. Evaluation and comparison of each schematic was subsequently performed using a newly developed PLSS sizing tool: the Guided Utility Sizer (GUS). This paper summarizes the study approach, schematic selection process, and final assessment that culminated in three different schematic recommendations. Recommended mxPLSS schematics are described relative to the vehicle architecture they would require.