Research on spacecraft environment control and astronaut health evaluation based on Modelica

Abstract

Abstract The environmental control system of a manned spacecraft plays a pivotal role in maintaining the internal environment and temperature control, and it constitutes a fundamental component of the spacecraft. In this study, a Modelica-based model for the environmental control and health assessment of astronauts was examined with the objective of analysing the impact of the internal environment of the spacecraft on human physiological changes. The model employs multi-domain simulation techniques, integrating thermodynamic and hydrodynamic models to describe airflow and temperature changes, while incorporating human physiology models to capture the body’s response to these environmental changes. In particular, thermodynamic models are employed to calculate the transfer and distribution of heat within the cabin air, while hydrodynamic models are utilised to simulate airflow and pressure changes, which subsequently influence the breathing patterns and thermoregulatory mechanisms of the astronauts. The human physiology models include simulations of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and thermoregulatory systems. The coupling of these models enables the accurate prediction of the physiological state of astronauts under various environmental conditions. By modifying the environmental control parameters within the model, including air flow rate, temperature set point, and humidity level, the impact of disparate environmental control strategies can be evaluated. This method has the potential to be employed in the prediction of the health status of astronauts during various flight phases.