Leakage detection for future space planes in space vacuum

The transportation of gases and liquids by tanks or cabins in space makes it necessary to provide qualified instruments which are used for search and localization of leakage in space. The recent leakage incident on Russian Space Station MIR demonstrated clearly the need for a reliable and easy to handling leakage detection equipment for operation in space environment. A number of different mechanical, thermal, electrical, physical and laser optical methods have been traded for the implementation of an easy to handling and small leakage detection device to be used for an extra vehicular activity. Particularly one specific laser-optical technique were found as to best meet the requirements for leakage detection in space vacuum in combination with thermographic image analysis. The working principle of the proposed laser optical device is based on sensing of a leakage flow by the deflection of the laser beam.