ANITA (ISS)

ANITA ( Analyzing Interferometer for Ambient Air , German Analytical Interferometer for Ambient Air ) is an air analysis device that measures the air quality on the International Space Station ISS.

The device was used between September 2007 and August 2008 in the ISS laboratory module Destiny . It can be used to detect up to 32 trace gases in the air we breathe using optical analyzes, including formaldehyde , ammonia , carbon monoxide , methanol , ethanol , butanol and Freon 218 . Evaluation software enables continuous measurement reports.

functionality

The functionality of ANITA is based on Fourier Transform Infrared Technology (FTIR). The measuring principle uses the gas-specific absorption properties in the infrared range for the detection and quantification of trace gases. With this method, no separation of the gases is carried out for the measurements. After the measurement, the gas is returned to the cabin in unchanged condition. Since the device only needs electricity, no other consumables are required. With the additional use of mobile gas bags and a hand pump, the astronauts can take air samples at any point on the ISS and have them analyzed by ANITA.

A measurement is automatically taken every six minutes.

Use

With the help of ANITA, the refrigerant Freon 218 could be detected, which leaked from a Russian cooling circuit. It not only averted dangers from the crew, but also prevented an unnecessary evacuation of the space station in the event of an initially unidentifiable contamination of the cabin air.

successor

The successor device ANITA 2 will be designed as a permanent monitoring system and should be much smaller and lighter than the prototype. It is intended to be the forerunner of future air analysis devices in manned lunar bases or on board manned spacecraft for exploration missions.