Advanced Solid State Lighting for AES Deep Space Hab

The advanced Solid State Lighting (SSL) assemblies augmented 2nd generation modules under development for the Advanced Exploration Systems Deep Space Habitat in using color therapy to synchronize crew circadian rhythms.  Current RGB LED technology does not produce sufficient brightness to adequately address general lighting in addition to color therapy.  The intent is to address both through a mix of white and RGB LEDs designing for fully addressable alertness/relaxation levels as well as more dramatic circadian shifts. 

Advanced solid state lighting assemblies were built for inclusion in the Advanced Exploration Systems ISS-derived Deep Space Habitat concept demonstrator.  The augmented second generation assemblies were modified versions of the first generation custom commercial lighting, using the same form factor, power supply, and balanced white light LED components.  This effort replaced the manual adjustments with an interface to the Deep Space Habitat (DSH) Concept Demonstrator avionics allowing full control of the general purpose white lights to simulate a full terrestrial day.  Modifications allowed additional RGB  lighting to be added to the existing fixtures and accessed through the same avionics.  Circadian synchronization can be addressed on an as needed basis, obviating crew stress of non-white light dominance.  The completed lights were then installed in the concept demonstrator at Marshall Space Flight Center.  They were part of the ISS-derived DSH concept assessment. 

These lights were then evaluated by Dr. Phil Sloane of UNC-Chapel Hill and Dr. Mariana Figuiero of the Lighting Research Center at RPI.  The team at LRC/RPI made measurements and the joint UNC/RPI team provided a subjective assessment based on their expertise with sleep disorders and light therapy.