Small low-power consumption CO-sensor for post-fire cleanup aboard spacecraft

Abstract

In this presentation we report on our progress in developing a small, lightweight and low power consumption carbon monoxide sensor for detection and post-fire cleanup aboard manned spacecraft. The sensor is a laser-based absorption spectrometer that uses a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) operating at 4.61 microns. The target sensitivity for post-fire cleanup applications is 1 to 500 ppmv. The presentation will detail the laser design and performance and the bench-top performance of the TDLAS sensor including sensitivity and Allan variance measurements. The status of the prototype sensor including size, weight and power consumption estimates and measurements will be presented.