Successful development of the sensor suite for space suit will allow for better control of the internal atmospheric composition that future astronauts will breathe. For NASA this means better data for extended missions, which can aid researchers to develop an understanding of the requirements for the health and well-being of personnel. The technology may also be transferred to other NASA Mission Areas such as research into the composition of the upper atmosphere and the tracking of CO2 levels for global climate change research.
Non-NASA applications include detection of CO2 and NH2 for regulated breathing apparatus used in specialized occupations including firefighting, underwater operations (i.e. drilling, SCUBA). The detection and quantification of CO2 also has applications in agriculture and aquaculture. Governmental markets include DOD for the determination of atmospheric composition for advance submersibles/special operations forces and NOAA for detection of CO2 in research submersibles.
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