The Water and Food Analytical
Laboratory (WAFAL) is comprised of experts in analytical
and environmental chemistry, toxicology, and water
quality engineering that support critical projects
for the Space Shuttle, ISS, and Constellation programs.
Spacecraft water quality issues are diverse. For example,
the present Shuttle hardware water system uses iodinated
fuel cell water as the potable water source. On ISS,
potable water can be derived from a number of sources.
These include ground-supplied water launched on Russian
Progress vehicles (with ESA and JAXA-designed water
delivery in the plans for future International Partner
vehicles). In addition, a Russian water processor
recovers and recycles humidity condensate on ISS,
and returns it to potable quality. In the next few
years, humidity condensate, treated urine, and hygiene
water will also be processed through the U.S. water
processor assembly. The WAFAL laboratory has the capability
to characterize the quality of these water sources,
and to protect crew health by verifying that these
systems are functioning properly and that the water
meets potability requirements.
Other WAFAL projects
include analysis of Shuttle water (both pre and postflight),
postflight analyses of aliquots of Shuttle water transferred
to the ISS in Contingency Water Containers, construction
and testing of water bladders to address water quality
issues, and various special projects related to environmental
chemistry and spaceflight. Additionally, WAFAL provides
comprehensive analyses of spacecraft foods so that
spaceflight menus can be judiciously designed to fulfill
the nutritional needs of astronauts.
Another main WAFAL focus
is the development of real-time water quality monitoring
technologies that can allow decisions about water
quality to be made without the need for return and
analysis of samples at earth-based laboratories. WAFAL
is currently involved in development of a Station
Detailed Test Objective that involves using colorimetric
methods to quantify levels of various water contaminants.
If successful, this technique will likely have implications
beyond ISS in Constellation. Additionally, WAFAL is
supporting the development of a new total organic
carbon analyzer (TOCA) for ISS. This device will allow
for real-time screening of organic pollutant loads
in potable waters consumed on ISS.
