Axiom Space Co., Ltd. of the United States is the first technology demonstrator of an air purification device using a photocatalyst, which is being developed by concluding a joint research agreement with Manned Space Systems Co., Ltd. (JAMSS), Tokyo Science University, and Tokyo Agricultural Technology University. Onboard the Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) civilian astronaut mission, at 2022:4 am (Japan time) on April 9, 0, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, toward the International Space Station (ISS). It was launched.
JAMSS is Japan's first technology, considering that a simple air purification device that can be placed anywhere is required to improve the quality of life (QOL) in space travel, which is expected to increase in the future. Focusing on photocatalysts that are effective in removing VOCs (collective names for organic chemical substances contained in volatile organic compounds / organic solvents, etc.), we have been conducting joint research with Tokyo University of Science and Tokyo University of Agriculture, which are world leaders in this field.
Photocatalyst is a general term for substances that exhibit catalytic action when irradiated with light, and can decompose volatile organic compounds that cause "odor" into harmless water, carbon dioxide, and the like.
In the joint research, JAMSS cooperated in the development of a new photocatalytic filter, the development of a prototype model for optimizing the equipment, and the performance test of the equipment.As the commercialization of low earth orbit (LEO) progresses, as represented by space travel, we are aiming to develop and develop QOL services that utilize Japan's excellent technologies such as photocatalyst technology.
In the future, after the Ax-1 civilian astronaut installs and activates the equipment, it will continue to operate on the ISS for about a month, after which the equipment will be recovered and evaluated, and JAMSS will use the Ax-1. Be the only domestic company to carry out the mission.
* Axiom Space
It is the only private company approved by NASA to install commercial modules on the ISS, and plans to operate the Axiom Commercial Space Station after retirement from the ISS.
