Development of Water Recovery Demonstration System for Further Manned Space Exploration

For further manned space exploration, one critical issue is source recycling, especially water recovery. JAXA is approaching to prepare for an on-orbit demonstration with the development of the water recovery system by 2015. Based on the current situation in ISS, the processing objects are urine and condensate water generated by crew. Specific and technical examinations of the water recovery system demonstration have been conducted. Comparison and examination of various methods, such as reverse osmosis membrane, photocatalytic oxidation, electrolysis and electrodialysis were conducted. Consequently, electrolysis and electrodialysis took the leading role in this water recovery demonstration system.