ABOUT
ORBITAIR – Advanced Air Purity Detection System for Space Station Environments
The OrbitAir Air Purity Detector is an advanced environmental monitoring system designed to ensure astronaut safety inside enclosed space-station habitats. In space missions, air quality, temperature, and humidity are mission-critical parameters, as even minor deviations can result in severe health risks, reduced cognitive performance, or system-level failures. OrbitAir is developed as a modular, expandable system capable of detecting multiple harmful gases, monitoring environmental conditions, and providing continuous airflow to prevent gas accumulation.
The system is engineered with a strong focus on reliability, modularity, and expandability, allowing it to evolve into a comprehensive life-support monitoring subsystem for long-duration missions. While the current prototype focuses on harmful gas detection and environmental monitoring, future iterations will integrate oxygen (O₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and additional atmospheric sensors, along with onboard display systems for real-time feedback.
TEAM
Ahan Nithin
Software & Wiring
Ahan handled the project’s software and wiring tasks.
His technical skills ensured smooth operation and proper connections.
Aryan Gujarathi
Designer & Assembler
Aryan contributed to the project design and mechanical assembly.
His hands-on work helped bring the project structure together effectively.
INTRODUCTION
Space stations operate as completely sealed environments where atmospheric balance is essential for human survival. Unlike Earth, where natural air circulation and large atmospheric volumes dilute contaminants, space habitats are highly sensitive to gas leaks, combustion by-products, material off-gassing, and biological waste gases. Continuous monitoring of air composition is therefore mandatory to ensure crew safety.
OrbitAir is designed to address this challenge by providing a dedicated air purity detection module capable of identifying hazardous gases, estimating their concentration in parts per million (ppm), and maintaining constant airflow through an internal ventilation system. The system also measures temperature and humidity, which influence human comfort, equipment reliability, and sensor accuracy.
By combining multi-gas sensing, environmental monitoring, and active ventilation in a single enclosed module, OrbitAir functions as an early-warning and monitoring system that can be deployed across different sections of a space station.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Inside a space station, air contamination can arise from numerous sources such as electrical faults, material degradation, chemical leaks, human metabolism, and experimental activities. Gases such as carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can accumulate rapidly in enclosed spaces, posing immediate health and fire hazards.
Traditional air monitoring systems are often centralized, complex, and expensive. There is a growing need for distributed, modular air quality monitoring units that can provide localized, real-time data and act as early detection systems. The absence of such decentralized monitoring increases the risk of delayed hazard detection and limits redundancy.
OrbitAir addresses this gap by offering a compact, sensor-rich air purity detection system capable of continuous monitoring, rapid response, and future scalability.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of the OrbitAir system is to provide a reliable, modular, and continuously operating air purity monitoring solution for enclosed space-station environments. The system is designed to act as both an early-warning safety device and a long-term environmental monitoring module.
The specific objectives are outlined below:
1. Comprehensive Multi-Gas Monitoring
Detect and estimate concentrations of multiple harmful, combustible, and contaminant gases using a distributed sensor array. This ensures early identification of leaks, toxic buildup, or abnormal atmospheric conditions.
2. Environmental Condition Tracking
Continuously monitor temperature and humidity levels to maintain astronaut comfort, protect sensitive equipment, and improve the accuracy and reliability of gas sensor readings.
3. Active Air Sampling and Circulation
Employ a dedicated airflow system to draw ambient air through the sensing
chamber, preventing stagnation and ensuring consistent exposure of sensors to the surrounding atmosphere.
4. Modular and Serviceable Design
Enable rapid access to internal components through openable side walls and a detachable baseplate, simplifying maintenance, upgrades, and sensor replacement.
5. System Expandability and Scalability
Design the hardware and internal layout to support future integration of additional sensors such as oxygen (O₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), pressure sensors, and particulate matter sensors.
6. Human-Readable Output and Alerts
Support future integration of LED display screens and visual indicators to provide continuous, real-time air quality data and alert conditions directly to astronauts.
7. Reliability in Critical Environments
Ensure stable long-term operation with minimal intervention, suitable for deployment in safety-critical, enclosed habitats such as space stations.
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
COMPONENTS USED:
Link to flow chart :
https://coggle.it/diagram/aVzu58OJQqHbdKmX/t/orbitair/QUuyArIjIGjiJwLkHwdi 2Vi7U-DJ-_cxUxArkf_iKxc
OrbitAir is a self-contained air purity detection module that integrates active airflow management, multi-gas sensing, environmental monitoring, and embedded data processing within a compact, modular enclosure. The system continuously draws ambient air through a front intake, directs it over a structured sensing chamber housing all sensors, and expels it through a tapered exhaust, ensuring consistent sampling and real-time monitoring of air quality.
The system architecture is organized into the following functional blocks:
● Air intake and controlled airflow channel:
The front intake features a cylindrical opening that narrows into a focused channel, directing ambient air toward a low-speed 3.3V DC fan. The fan ensures constant airflow across the sensor chamber, preventing stagnant zones and allowing uniform exposure for all gas and environmental sensors. The channel geometry is designed to reduce turbulence while maximizing contact time between air and sensors, improving detection reliability. The tapered exhaust ensures smooth outflow, maintaining consistent circulation without backpressure.
● Multi-sensor gas detection chamber:
The central sensing chamber houses the MQ-series gas sensors (MQ-4, MQ-7, MQ-8, MQ-135, MQ-138) arranged in a circular layout to evenly expose each sensor to the passing airflow. The chamber expands from the narrow intake channel to accommodate the sensors while minimizing interference from heat or airflow between elements. Wiring is routed along the walls to avoid obstruction and reduce electrical noise. The chamber’s hollow cylindrical design allows easy insertion or replacement of sensors, with openable side panels for maintenance and upgrades. This configuration ensures accurate and repeatable readings of methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, volatile organic compounds, ammonia, and general air quality.
● Environmental sensing unit:
The DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor is positioned centrally within the airflow path to monitor environmental conditions that can affect gas sensor outputs. Real-time temperature and humidity data provide context for interpreting sensor readings, enabling correction for variations in sensor resistance due to environmental changes. This unit ensures that the system maintains consistent and meaningful air quality assessment.
● Embedded processing and data handling:
An ESP32 microcontroller serves as the core processing unit. It continuously reads analog outputs from the gas sensors and digital data from the DHT11. The ESP32 processes this information using calibration curves and relative measurement models to generate approximate ppm values for each gas. It performs filtering to smooth transient fluctuations caused by airflow or environmental changes, and prepares the processed data for display or transmission. The ESP32 also manages power distribution to the fan and sensors, ensuring energy-efficient operation within the space-station environment.
This modular and carefully engineered architecture allows OrbitAir to operate continuously, reliably, and autonomously, either as a standalone module or as part of a networked environmental monitoring system, providing astronauts with early warning of hazardous air conditions and maintaining optimal safety in closed habitats.
DESIGN OVERVIEW
OrbitAir is engineered as a compact, modular air quality monitoring system optimized for enclosed space-station environments. The main body is cylindrical and hollow, providing sufficient internal volume to house six gas sensors (MQ-4, MQ-7, MQ-8, MQ-135, MQ-138) and a DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor while allowing unobstructed airflow. The front of the module features a cylindrical intake that gradually narrows, channeling air directly through a low-speed 3.3V DC fan. This ensures continuous, controlled airflow over the sensors, improving response time and stabilizing readings.
After the fan, the airflow enters a wider chamber where the sensors are strategically positioned to maximize exposure and prevent interference between elements. The chamber then tapers to a smaller exhaust hole, allowing processed air to leave efficiently without creating backpressure. All internal components, including the ESP32 microcontroller, are securely mounted to prevent vibration or displacement during operation, ensuring reliable long-term function.
The enclosure walls are 3 mm thick, balancing structural strength with lightweight construction. Side panels are openable, and the baseplate is detachable to allow easy access for maintenance, sensor replacement, or upgrades. Wiring is routed along the interior walls to prevent obstruction of airflow and to reduce electrical noise, ensuring accurate sensor readings.
Future scalability is incorporated into the design: additional slots are reserved for O₂, CO₂, and other advanced gas sensors, and there is provision for LED or LCD displays to provide real-time data visualization. The modular layout also facilitates the addition of new sensing or ventilation components without major redesign.
COMPREHENSIVE SENSOR SUITE DESCRIPTION
The sensor subsystem is the most critical component of the OrbitAir air purity detection system. It is responsible for continuously sampling the internal atmosphere of the space station module and converting chemical and environmental conditions into meaningful, interpretable data. The selection,
placement, and operation of sensors were carefully considered to balance accuracy, reliability, power consumption, and feasibility for long-duration monitoring in a closed environment.
1. Design Philosophy Behind Sensor Selection
OrbitAir prioritizes early detection, trend monitoring, and acceptable accuracy rather than laboratory-grade precision. In a space station environment, the most important factor is identifying abnormal changes quickly and reliably, allowing corrective action before conditions become hazardous.
The sensor array follows these principles:
● Redundancy through multiple gas sensors
● Coverage of both toxic and combustible gases
● Continuous operation capability
● Compatibility with embedded microcontrollers
● Scalability for future sensor expansion
2. MQ-Series Gas Sensors Overview
OrbitAir employs multiple MQ-series metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors. These sensors are widely used in safety and industrial monitoring applications due to their robustness and sensitivity to a wide range of gases.
MQ sensors function by heating a tin dioxide (SnO₂) sensing element. In clean air, the sensor exhibits a baseline resistance. When target gases are present, chemical reactions on the sensor surface alter its resistance, producing a change in output voltage proportional to gas concentration.
Although MQ sensors require calibration for absolute precision, they are highly effective for:
● Detecting presence and absence of gases
● Monitoring relative concentration changes
● Identifying hazardous trends over time
3. MQ-4 Methane (CH₄) Sensor
The MQ-4 sensor is dedicated to methane detection.
Methane poses a severe risk in enclosed environments due to its high flammability and explosion potential. In a space station, methane may originate from:
● Fuel storage systems
● Experimental payloads
● Waste processing modules
The MQ-4 sensor allows OrbitAir to continuously monitor methane levels and detect abnormal increases before they reach dangerous thresholds. This contributes directly to fire prevention and explosion risk mitigation.
4. MQ-7 Carbon Monoxide (CO) Sensor
Carbon monoxide is one of the most dangerous gases in a sealed habitat due to its colorless and odorless nature.
The MQ-7 sensor is specifically designed for carbon monoxide detection and uses a cyclic heating process to improve selectivity. This makes it suitable for detecting low-to-moderate CO concentrations that may arise from:
● Electrical faults
● Overheating equipment
● Incomplete combustion processes
Continuous CO monitoring is essential for astronaut safety, as prolonged exposure can lead to severe physiological effects even at low concentrations.
5. MQ-8 Hydrogen (H₂) Sensor
The MQ-8 sensor is responsible for hydrogen detection.
Hydrogen is commonly associated with:
● Fuel cell systems
● Energy storage experiments
● Life-support and propulsion-related technologies
Due to hydrogen’s wide flammability range and low ignition energy, even minor leaks pose a significant hazard. The MQ-8 sensor provides early warning capability, allowing ventilation or isolation procedures to be initiated promptly.
6. MQ-135 Air Quality Sensor
The MQ-135 sensor serves as a general air quality indicator.
It is sensitive to a broad range of gases, including:
● Carbon dioxide–equivalent gases
● Ammonia (NH₃)
● Alcohol vapors
● Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
In OrbitAir, the MQ-135 is used to monitor gradual degradation of air quality rather than pinpointing a single gas. This makes it particularly useful for detecting long-term contamination, material off-gassing, or ventilation inefficiencies.
7. MQ-138 VOC and Ammonia Sensor
The MQ-138 sensor enhances OrbitAir’s ability to detect chemical contaminants. It is especially sensitive to:
● Volatile organic compounds
● Ammonia
● Smoke-related gases
VOCs may be released from plastics, adhesives, insulation materials, or experimental substances. While not always immediately dangerous, prolonged exposure can cause discomfort and long-term health concerns. The MQ-138 sensor helps ensure that the station atmosphere remains within acceptable comfort and safety limits.
8. DHT11 Temperature and Humidity Sensor
In addition to gas detection, OrbitAir monitors environmental conditions using a DHT11 sensor.
Temperature and humidity are critical parameters because:
● Gas sensor readings are affected by environmental conditions ● Astronaut comfort and health depend on stable climate control ● High humidity can promote condensation and equipment degradation
The DHT11 provides real-time temperature and relative humidity data, enabling correlation between gas readings and environmental changes.
9. Sensor Integration and Placement
All sensors are mounted within a dedicated sensing chamber through which air is actively drawn using a low-speed DC fan. This ensures:
● Uniform exposure of all sensors to sampled air
● Reduced response time
● Consistent and repeatable readings
Sensors are positioned to avoid mutual heating interference, and airflow is optimized to prevent stagnant zones.
10. Data Acquisition and Processing
Each gas sensor outputs an analog voltage signal that is read by the ESP32’s analog-to-digital converters. Raw ADC values are processed using predefined mathematical models to estimate gas concentration in parts per million (ppm).
While these ppm values are approximate, they are sufficient for:
● Identifying abnormal conditions
● Comparing readings against acceptable ranges
● Triggering alerts or ventilation responses
11. Scalability and Future Sensor Expansion
The OrbitAir sensor architecture is designed to be modular and expandable. Future upgrades include:
● Oxygen (O₂) concentration sensors
● Carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensors
● Higher-precision electrochemical sensors
● Dedicated particulate matter sensors
Additional data can be displayed on onboard LED or LCD panels, providing astronauts with real-time atmospheric feedback.
SOFTWARE AND DATA PROCESSING
The sensor subsystem is the most critical component of the OrbitAir air purity detection system. It is responsible for continuously sampling the internal atmosphere of the space station module and converting chemical and environmental conditions into meaningful, interpretable data. The selection,
placement, and operation of sensors were carefully considered to balance accuracy, reliability, power consumption, and feasibility for long-duration monitoring in a closed environment.
1. Design Philosophy Behind Sensor Selection
OrbitAir prioritizes early detection, trend monitoring, and acceptable accuracy rather than laboratory-grade precision. In a space station environment, the most important factor is identifying abnormal changes quickly and reliably, allowing corrective action before conditions become hazardous.
The sensor array follows these principles:
● Redundancy through multiple gas sensors
● Coverage of both toxic and combustible gases
● Continuous operation capability
● Compatibility with embedded microcontrollers
● Scalability for future sensor expansion
2. MQ-Series Gas Sensors Overview
OrbitAir employs multiple MQ-series metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors. These sensors are widely used in safety and industrial monitoring applications due to their robustness and sensitivity to a wide range of gases.
MQ sensors function by heating a tin dioxide (SnO₂) sensing element. In clean air, the sensor exhibits a baseline resistance. When target gases are present, chemical reactions on the sensor surface alter its resistance, producing a change in output voltage proportional to gas concentration.
Although MQ sensors require calibration for absolute precision, they are highly effective for:
● Detecting presence and absence of gases
● Monitoring relative concentration changes
● Identifying hazardous trends over time
3. MQ-4 Methane (CH₄) Sensor
The MQ-4 sensor is dedicated to methane detection.
Methane poses a severe risk in enclosed environments due to its high flammability and explosion potential. In a space station, methane may originate from:
● Fuel storage systems
● Experimental payloads
● Waste processing modules
The MQ-4 sensor allows OrbitAir to continuously monitor methane levels and detect abnormal increases before they reach dangerous thresholds. This contributes directly to fire prevention and explosion risk mitigation.
4. MQ-7 Carbon Monoxide (CO) Sensor
Carbon monoxide is one of the most dangerous gases in a sealed habitat due to its colorless and odorless nature.
The MQ-7 sensor is specifically designed for carbon monoxide detection and uses a cyclic heating process to improve selectivity. This makes it suitable for detecting low-to-moderate CO concentrations that may arise from:
● Electrical faults
● Overheating equipment
● Incomplete combustion processes
Continuous CO monitoring is essential for astronaut safety, as prolonged exposure can lead to severe physiological effects even at low concentrations.
5. MQ-8 Hydrogen (H₂) Sensor
The MQ-8 sensor is responsible for hydrogen detection.
Hydrogen is commonly associated with:
● Fuel cell systems
● Energy storage experiments
● Life-support and propulsion-related technologies
Due to hydrogen’s wide flammability range and low ignition energy, even minor leaks pose a significant hazard. The MQ-8 sensor provides early warning capability, allowing ventilation or isolation procedures to be initiated promptly.
6. MQ-135 Air Quality Sensor
The MQ-135 sensor serves as a general air quality indicator.
It is sensitive to a broad range of gases, including:
● Carbon dioxide–equivalent gases
● Ammonia (NH₃)
● Alcohol vapors
● Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
In OrbitAir, the MQ-135 is used to monitor gradual degradation of air quality rather than pinpointing a single gas. This makes it particularly useful for detecting long-term contamination, material off-gassing, or ventilation inefficiencies.
7. MQ-138 VOC and Ammonia Sensor
The MQ-138 sensor enhances OrbitAir’s ability to detect chemical contaminants. It is especially sensitive to:
● Volatile organic compounds
● Ammonia
● Smoke-related gases
VOCs may be released from plastics, adhesives, insulation materials, or experimental substances. While not always immediately dangerous, prolonged exposure can cause discomfort and long-term health concerns. The MQ-138 sensor helps ensure that the station atmosphere remains within acceptable comfort and safety limits.
8. DHT11 Temperature and Humidity Sensor
In addition to gas detection, OrbitAir monitors environmental conditions using a DHT11 sensor.
Temperature and humidity are critical parameters because:
● Gas sensor readings are affected by environmental conditions
● Astronaut comfort and health depend on stable climate control
● High humidity can promote condensation and equipment degradation
The DHT11 provides real-time temperature and relative humidity data, enabling correlation between gas readings and environmental changes.
9. Sensor Integration and Placement
All sensors are mounted within a dedicated sensing chamber through which air is actively drawn using a low-speed DC fan. This ensures:
● Uniform exposure of all sensors to sampled air
● Reduced response time
● Consistent and repeatable readings
Sensors are positioned to avoid mutual heating interference, and airflow is optimized to prevent stagnant zones.
10. Data Acquisition and Processing
Each gas sensor outputs an analog voltage signal that is read by the ESP32’s analog-to-digital converters. Raw ADC values are processed using predefined mathematical models to estimate gas concentration in parts per million (ppm).
While these ppm values are approximate, they are sufficient for:
● Identifying abnormal conditions
● Comparing readings against acceptable ranges
● Triggering alerts or ventilation responses
11. Scalability and Future Sensor Expansion
The OrbitAir sensor architecture is designed to be modular and expandable. Future upgrades include:
● Oxygen (O₂) concentration sensors
● Carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensors
● Higher-precision electrochemical sensors
● Dedicated particulate matter sensors
Additional data can be displayed on onboard LED or LCD panels, providing astronauts with real-time atmospheric feedback.
SYSTEM FLOW AND OPERATIONAL SEQUENCE
1. Ambient air is drawn into the enclosure through the front intake
2. The DC fan regulates airflow into the sensing chamber
3. Gas sensors and the environmental sensor analyze air composition 4. Sensor signals are processed by the ESP32
5. Data is prepared for output, display, or transmission
6. Analyzed air exits through the exhaust opening
This continuous cycle enables real-time monitoring and rapid detection of atmospheric changes.
ADVANTAGES & LIMITATIONS
Advantages
1. Distributed Monitoring Capability
Allows deployment of multiple units for localized air quality assessment rather than relying on a single centralized system.
2. Active Air Sampling
Continuous airflow improves sensor response time and reading stability.
3. Modular Mechanical Design
Openable walls and detachable baseplate simplify maintenance and upgrades.
4. Expandability
Hardware and software architectures support future sensor and display integration.
5. Cost-Effective Prototyping
Uses readily available components while demonstrating concepts applicable to aerospace systems.
Limitations
1. Sensor Precision
MQ sensors provide approximate values and are not laboratory-grade.
2. Long-Term Drift
Gas sensors may drift over time, requiring recalibration.
3. Radiation and Space Qualification
Current prototype components are not radiation-hardened for space deployment.
4. Power Dependency
Continuous operation requires stable power availability.
TESTING AND VALIDATION
Functional Testing
OrbitAir was tested under controlled indoor conditions to verify:
● Continuous sensor operation
● Stable airflow through the sensing chamber
● Reliable data acquisition by the ESP32
Each sensor was verified individually to ensure correct electrical connections and meaningful output values.
Environmental Testing
Basic environmental testing involved operating the system over extended periods to observe sensor drift, thermal stability, and airflow consistency. Although full space-environment simulation was not possible, these tests validated the system’s ability to operate continuously without failure.
Limitations of Testing
Due to practical constraints, testing was limited to Earth-based environments. Factors such as microgravity, radiation exposure, and vacuum conditions were not simulated. These limitations are acknowledged and considered in future design improvements.
CALIBRATION AND ACCURACY CONSIDERATIONS
The MQ-series gas sensors used in OrbitAir typically require long burn-in and calibration periods for absolute accuracy. However, this project prioritizes engineering-acceptable estimates and trend detection rather than laboratory precision.
No extended 24–48 hour calibration was performed. Instead:
● Sensors were operated after basic warm-up
● Baseline readings were observed under normal conditions
● Relative changes in output were used to identify abnormal air quality trends
This approach is suitable for early-warning systems, where detecting deviations from normal conditions is more critical than exact ppm accuracy.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Electrical Safety
● All components operate at low voltages
● Proper grounding minimizes electrical noise and risk
● Secure mounting prevents accidental disconnections
Airflow and Mechanical Safety
● The fan operates continuously at low speed to avoid excessive noise or airflow discomfort
● Enclosed fan placement prevents accidental contact
Operational Safety
OrbitAir is designed as a monitoring and warning system rather than a control system. It does not actively modify atmospheric composition, ensuring it cannot introduce new hazards during operation.
FUTURE EXPANSIONS AND UPGRADES
OrbitAir is intentionally designed as a scalable platform capable of evolving into a full life-support monitoring subsystem.
Planned future enhancements include:
1. Advanced Atmospheric Sensors
○ Oxygen (O₂) sensors for breathable air verification
○ Carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensors for metabolic buildup detection ○ Additional trace gas sensors for specialized monitoring
2. Visual Display and User Interface
○ Integration of LED or LCD display panels
○ Continuous real-time display of gas concentrations, temperature, and humidity
○ Visual alerts for unsafe atmospheric conditions
3. Improved Sensor Accuracy
○ Replacement of MQ sensors with higher-precision digital gas sensors where required
○ Sensor fusion techniques for improved reliability
4. Networked Monitoring Capability
○ Wireless communication between multiple OrbitAir units
○ Centralized monitoring of air quality across station modules
RESULT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Sensor Response and Stability
During testing, OrbitAir demonstrated stable and repeatable sensor behavior when operating with continuous airflow. The low-speed DC fan ensured that fresh ambient air was constantly drawn into the sensing chamber, preventing gas stagnation and localized concentration spikes. This resulted in smoother sensor curves and reduced fluctuation compared to passive air exposure.
Gas sensor outputs showed consistent baseline readings under normal indoor conditions, with noticeable and proportional variation when exposed to changes in air quality. While MQ sensors do not provide laboratory-grade accuracy, their relative response was sufficient for detecting abnormal trends and potential hazards.
Environmental Monitoring Performance
The DHT11 sensor provided continuous temperature and humidity readings that remained stable over time. These values were used to contextualize gas sensor outputs, as changes in temperature and humidity can influence sensor resistance and sensitivity.
Airflow Effectiveness
The internal airflow channel successfully guided air through the intake, sensing chamber, and exhaust path. The tapered geometry reduced turbulence while maintaining adequate exposure time for all sensors. Continuous ventilation improved response time and ensured more representative sampling of the surrounding environment.
APPLICATIONS AND DEPLOYMENT SCENARIOS
OrbitAir can be deployed across multiple locations within a space station to provide localized air quality monitoring. Potential deployment areas include:
● Crew living quarters
● Laboratories and experiment modules
● Equipment bays
● Airlock-adjacent compartments
Using multiple units increases redundancy and allows early detection of localized contamination events.
CONCLUSION
OrbitAir represents a comprehensive, modular, and robust approach to air purity monitoring within enclosed space-station environments. By combining a carefully engineered mechanical enclosure, active airflow management, a multi-gas sensor array, and embedded data processing, the system provides continuous, reliable,
and interpretable information on atmospheric conditions critical to astronaut safety. The cylindrical airflow channel, fan-assisted circulation, and strategically positioned sensors ensure that all gases and environmental parameters are sampled consistently, minimizing the risk of undetected hazardous concentrations.
Beyond safety monitoring, OrbitAir demonstrates potential for autonomous decision-making. Embedded processing could in future versions implement threshold-based ventilation control, fan speed adjustment, or alert generation, further reducing reliance on human intervention. Its lightweight and openable modular design allows easy maintenance, sensor replacement, and adaptation to different spacecraft modules or experimental configurations.
In summary, OrbitAir serves as a scalable, adaptable, and practical air quality monitoring subsystem for long-duration human space missions. It bridges the gap between simple environmental sensors and fully integrated safety systems, providing actionable information on atmospheric conditions, supporting crew
health, and laying the groundwork for future autonomous environmental control solutions. Its design philosophy ensures that it can evolve alongside spacecraft technology, incorporating advanced sensors and interfaces while maintaining reliability, energy efficiency, and operational simplicity.