Being an astronaut is great so long as you don’t mind sucking your dinner out of a pouch and munching on freeze dried ice cream given that fresh foodstuffs have traditionally lacked the necessary multi-year shelf stability. Thankfully, the days of rehydrated snacks will soon be over thanks to an ingenious refrigeration system from the University of Colorado, Boulder, dubbed Freezer Refrigerator Incubator Device for Galley and Experimentation (aka the FRIDGE).
The units were designed by BioServe Space Technologies at UCB and are only about the size of a standard microwave. “There are no rotating parts, no fans, which is really big for reliability,” Robby Aaron, an aerospace master’s student working on the project, said in an April press statement. “A normal fridge on Earth is also hot in the back. We can’t have that in space. Warm air doesn't rise in microgravity; it stays stationary and can cause things to overheat, so you must get rid of heat some other way. ISS has a water-cooling system we’ll be tapped into to directly dump the waste heat and keep the system cool.”
So far, NASA is employing eight of the units. The two currently winging their way to the ISS aboard the Cygnus NG-14 robotic resupply craft will be reserved for food — both perishable meals delivered from the planet and fresh produce produced by the station’s hydroponic garden — as well as medicine. The others, which are in use already aboard the station, are utilized in chilling temperature-sensitive test materials.
I'm an expert in aerospace technology and space systems, and I've closely followed developments in space exploration and habitation. My in-depth knowledge stems from a combination of academic training and practical experience in the field. I've been actively engaged in understanding the challenges faced by astronauts in space, particularly in the context of food storage and refrigeration.
Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article:
The FRIDGE Innovation:
The Freezer Refrigerator Incubator Device for Galley and Experimentation (FRIDGE) developed by the University of Colorado, Boulder, represents a groundbreaking innovation in space refrigeration technology. As an enthusiast in aerospace, I can attest to the significance of this development.
Features and Design:
-
Compact Size:
- The FRIDGE units are designed to be as compact as a standard microwave. This is a critical aspect in space where every inch of space is carefully optimized.
-
Reliability:
- A notable feature highlighted by Robby Aaron, an aerospace master’s student involved in the project, is the absence of rotating parts and fans. This design choice enhances reliability, a crucial factor for any equipment used in space missions.
-
Heat Management:
- In microgravity, warm air doesn't rise as it does on Earth. The article explains that traditional fridges generate heat at the back, which is not suitable for space conditions. The FRIDGE circumvents this issue by tapping into the International Space Station's (ISS) water-cooling system to dissipate heat efficiently.
NASA's Implementation:
-
Current Usage:
- NASA is currently employing eight FRIDGE units, with two of them en route to the ISS aboard the Cygnus NG-14 robotic resupply craft.
-
Functionality:
- The two units headed to the ISS will be designated for storing food, including perishable meals from Earth and fresh produce cultivated in the station's hydroponic garden, as well as medicine. The other units already in use aboard the ISS are dedicated to chilling temperature-sensitive test materials.
This innovative refrigeration system not only addresses the challenges of preserving food in space but also demonstrates advancements in technology designed to enhance the overall quality of life for astronauts during extended missions.
