William Atkins
Wednesday, 25 March 2009 19:27
Science -
Space
Page 3 of 4
Whatever NASA does in the final naming of the Node 3, it is sure to bring about a lot of media talk and hype, especially from Stephen Colbert and his Colbert Nation.
In any case, it's all about the money and media hype!
There'll be much less serenity and a lot more colbertism at that time.
Such conversation and discussion will be beneficial to both Colbert and NASA. So, no one really loses.
Personally, I think NASA should call it “Serenity.”
However, according to the
NASA website there are four primary Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) that are currently stored at various places on the Space Station, but that will be transferred to the Node 3 when it goes up in 2010.
They are:
1. "Oxygen Generation System (OGS), which takes the station’s water and splits it apart into hydrogen, which gets vented into space, and oxygen, which is returned into the cabin for the crew to breathe"
2. "Atmosphere Revitalization System (ARS), which controls the station’s carbon dioxide levels and maintains the temperature and atmospheric pressure at comfortable levels"
3. "Water Recovery System (WRS) and Urine Processor Assembly (UPA), which take waste water from the station and purify it, separating any contaminants and making it safe for the crew to drink"
4. "Waste and hygiene compartment, which provides a place for the crew to use the bathroom in a way that allows the station to process the majority of the water used onboard so that it may be used again, greatly lessening the need for resupply flights from Earth."
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