Livsuppehållningssystem

Livsuppehållningssystem, often translated as life support system, refers to a combination of equipment and technologies designed to maintain human life in environments that are hostile or unable to sustain it naturally. These systems are crucial in a variety of contexts, most notably in space exploration, but also in submarines, medical settings, and in some industrial applications. The primary goal of a livsuppehållningssystem is to provide essential elements for survival, such as breathable air, potable water, and controlled temperature and pressure.

In space, for example, a livsuppehållningssystem must generate oxygen from stored sources or by recycling carbon dioxide, remove waste products like carbon dioxide and humidity, and maintain a stable atmospheric pressure and temperature within a spacecraft or habitat. Water is also a critical component, often supplied through stored reserves or recycled from various sources, including wastewater and humidity. Similarly, medical life support systems, such as ventilators and artificial heart machines, temporarily perform the functions of failing organs to keep a patient alive. The design and operation of these systems are highly complex, requiring precise control and constant monitoring to ensure the safety and well-being of the individuals they support. Reliability and redundancy are paramount, as failure can have immediate and catastrophic consequences.