Reducing ambient noise levels in space environments plays a key role in crew communications, ability to sleep, and overall crew comfort and well-being. Deep space missions are especially susceptible to noise due to the confined nature of their environment and the lack of respite from noise. This technology is significant to deep space missions because it can reduce fan noise within the existing hardware footprint, reducing the need for bulky passive treatments such as added duct work & internal linings. Working with RotoSub, our goal was to improve on our year 1 work (adapting this technology into Crew Quarters (CQ) fans) by preparing these fans for flight on ISS as a CQ technology demonstration. This was accomplished by additional noise control improvements, fan blade optimization, integration of electronics into the fan/frame, and creating a robust aluminum housing. We partnered with Lars Strömbäck and RotoSub AB out of Sweden to adapt and integrate their ANC quiet fan technology into CQ type fans. Danielle Koch from the NASA Glenn Research Center provided for the loan of their ISO 10302 Fan Sound Power Plenum for fan testing. Currently we are working with Holly Cagle & the Flight Crew Systems office at JSC for CQ integration on the ISS.
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