Deep breath for crew expansion

A new oxygen generation system tested between July 11 and 14 aboard the International Space Station will allow the orbiting laboratory's crew size to increase in 2009.

The hardware is part of the station's environmental control and life support system and will be used to augment the Russian Elektron oxygen generator. With the increased capability to produce oxygen, the station can better support six crew members as they work and live aboard the outpost. The station currently supports a three-person crew.

During normal operations, the new system will generate about 12 pounds of oxygen per day, which is said to be enough for six people. However, it can provide as much as 20 pounds of oxygen per day, enough for as many as 11 people.

It is designed to replace oxygen consumed through breathing or lost during experiment use and airlock depressurisation. During last week's test, which started Wednesday and ended Saturday, the system generated approximately 10 pounds of oxygen.