Single-Person Spacecraft Direct-Pressure Hatch Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current single-person spacecraft designs are limited by lengthy preparation times and lack of direct access to space, requiring pre-breathe and airlock procedures, which hinder efficient servicing of space stations and other orbital tasks.
Innovation Solution
A single-person spacecraft design featuring a pressurized crew enclosure with a clear hemispheric canopy, external equipment bay, and overhead crown assembly, allowing direct access and equipped with thrusters, propellant tanks, and a data processing system for autonomous operations, eliminating the need for airlocks and reducing preparation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional airlock procedures are used, then astronaut safety is ensured, but preparation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the airlock component from the spacecraft design entirely. The single-person spacecraft uses a direct-pressure hatch that opens directly to space, eliminating the intermediate airlock chamber that traditional designs require for pressure equalization and astronaut safety during EVAs.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacecraft is divided into distinct pressurized and unpressurized zones separated by a direct-pressure hatch rather than an airlock. This segmentation allows the crew compartment to remain pressurized while enabling direct access to space without requiring pressure cycling of the entire spacecraft.
2Reliability
If pre-breathe procedures are required, then decompression sickness is prevented, but task time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the pre-breathe requirement by removing the airlock procedure entirely. The direct-pressure hatch design allows astronauts to transition directly from the pressurized crew compartment to space without the pressure cycling that would otherwise require pre-breathe procedures to prevent decompression sickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacecraft system automatically maintains crew safety without requiring pre-breathe procedures. The direct-pressure hatch design with its specific sealing and pressure equalization mechanisms allows safe direct access to space, making the complex pre-breathe preparation protocol unnecessary.
3Reliability
If manual translation through airlock is used, then pressure control is maintained, but access time to worksite increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the airlock and associated manual translation procedures. The direct-pressure hatch allows astronauts to exit directly to space without hand-over-hand translation through an airlock chamber, dramatically reducing access time to worksites while maintaining pressure control through the hatch's sealing mechanism.
4Reliability
If lengthy preparation procedures are used, then safety is ensured, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates multiple preparation steps including airlock cycling and pre-breathe procedures. The direct-pressure hatch design allows astronauts to access space directly from the pressurized crew compartment, reducing preparation time while maintaining safety through the hatch's pressure sealing and equalization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacecraft is pre-configured with the direct-pressure hatch system that automatically manages pressure transitions. The hatch includes built-in pressure equalization chambers and sealing mechanisms that prepare for safe opening in advance, eliminating the need for lengthy external preparation procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A single-person spacecraft includes a pressurized crew enclosure, an external equipment bay, and an overhead crown assembly.