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Article: Oxygen Atmosphere in Spacecraft
- Article from:
- Space Sciences
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Oxygen Atmosphere in Spacecraft
Astronauts sealed in a spacecraft or
space station
need a continuous supply of oxygen. When they inhale, the oxygen in the air is absorbed by the blood and used by the body. When they exhale, nitrogen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide (CO
2
) are expelled. During a flight, oxygen must be added to the air, while water vapor, CO
2
, and other impurities must be removed.
Earth's atmosphere at sea level consists of 21 percent oxygen, 78 percent nitrogen, and 1 percent CO
2
, water vapor, argon, methane, and traces of other gases, at a pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi). Pure oxygen is highly corrosive and reacts with most substances, sometimes violently, ...