NEWS

Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS) (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Toshikazu Koto, President) conducted a technical demonstration of acquiring odor data with “Odor Sensor” inside the International Space Station (ISS) during the Ax-2 mission (launched on May 21), which is the second private astronaut mission by Axiom Space Inc. (*1). 

Astronauts have been living and working on the ISS continuously since 2000 after its construction started. The ISS is a closed environment, and there are many examples of various smells, not all of them are good, such as the odors from a waste collection site or from unlaundered clothes. ISS is equipped with a means of odor control but without a means for measuring its effectiveness. While samples are taken and brought back to earth on a periodic basis, there is some amount of imagination that must be used to characterize what odors the crews experience onboard.
 
If you are bothered by the odor of your destination, you may not be able to enjoy your trip to the space as much as you would like.

Focusing on QOL in space, JAMSS conducted a technical demonstration of Japan’s first Photocatalyst device on ISS last spring, which cleans the air on ISS. This odor sensor, which acquires odor data from the ISS, is the second mission related with QOL following Photocatalyst and it’s also Japan’s first odor sensor on ISS.

“Odor Sensor Unit” is hardware developed by JAMSS for a technical demonstration, with an odor sensor manufactured by aroma bit Inc (*2).
Although the detection of toxic gases by gas sensors and their removal has been actively conducted in the past, this “Odor Sensor” aims to visualize odors inside ISS.Returned odor data will be analyzed, and then the most similar odor on ground will be found out.

In the future, as the market for space exploration expands and more comfortable living environments are required in the era of commercial space stations, treating odors will be a key element in maintaining crews’ quality of life (QOL).

By visualization of the odor inside ISS, JAMSS aims to improve QOL for space travelers in the future (*3). 

Odor Sensor Unit　left : Wall-mounted type　right : Wearable type

©NASA/Axiom Space　

*1 Axiom Space Inc.
Axiom Space is beginning this journey toward Axiom Station by leading private astronaut missions, and flying microgravity research and technology development portfolios to be conducted on the ISS. Axiom Space’s second mission to the ISS, Ax-2, is its second private astronaut mission and will continue to deepen Axiom Space’s experience in delivering crews, research, manufacturing facilities, and habitats in space for the future of human exploration and space travel.

*2 Odor Sensor manufactured by aroma bit Inc.

QCM-type (Quartz Crystal Microbalance type）odor sensor detects changes in mass caused by the adsorption and desorption of odor molecules on the membrane surface as changes in the resonance frequency of the quartz crystal resonator. And the frequency change value for each membrane is measured and converted into numerical data. This makes it possible to convert all kinds of smells that until now, could only be determined by the human senses, into visible digital data. aroma bit Inc. has already commercialized a QCM-type odor sensor and is developing a CMOS-type (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor type) odor sensor for commercialization in the future.

*3 QOL Business Expectations along with Expansion of the Private Space Market
LEO Commercialization growth is accelerating particularly in the U.S., and the market for private space missions is expected to expand accordingly. Comfort and design features will be key considerations in the design of future habitats in space. The need for comfort is expected to drive demand for QOL businesses targeting future private space missions, not only for interior design, but also for the mental health and well-being of future crews.