Oxygen Generation Calculator
Calculate O2 requirements, electrolysis water needs, and power for crew oxygen generation in space habitats.
Inputs
Results
Daily O2 need (kg)
6.51
Total mission O2 (kg)1,172.6
Water for electrolysis (kg/day)7.3
Power needed (kWh/day)23.5
Emergency reserve (kg)45.6
Target ppO2 (kPa)21.3
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the number of crew members and their daily oxygen consumption in kg/person/day.
- Set the oxygen generation method (electrolysis, chemical, stored).
- Input system efficiency percentage and power available in watts.
- Review the daily oxygen production rate in kg and power consumption.
- Size the backup stored oxygen supply to cover at least 48 hours of failure.
How the result changes with Crew size
| Crew size | Daily O2 need (kg) |
|---|---|
| 11 | 11.51 |
| 36 | 36.51 |
| 65 | 65.51 |
| 90 | 90.51 |
What each input means
- Crew size
- Number of crew members.
- Mission duration (days)
- Total mission length.
- Activity level (1-3)
- 1 = Rest (0.84 kg/day), 2 = Normal (1.0), 3 = Heavy (1.4).
- EVA hours/week
- Total crew EVA hours per week.
What each result means
- Daily O2 need (kg)
- Total daily oxygen consumption.
- Total mission O2 (kg)
- Total oxygen for entire mission.
- Water for electrolysis (kg/day)
- Daily water consumed for O2 production.
- Power needed (kWh/day)
- Electrical power for electrolysis.
- Emergency reserve (kg)
- 7-day emergency O2 supply.
- Target ppO2 (kPa)
- Recommended O2 partial pressure.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersCrew size = 6, Mission duration (days) = 180, Activity level (1-3) = 2, EVA hours/week = 6 = 4 input(s) provided
- Calculate Daily O2 needDaily O2 need = crewSize * o2RateKgPerDay + evaO2PerDay6.51 = 6.51
- Calculate Total mission O2Total mission O2 = round(dailyO2Kg * missionDurationDays * 10) / 101172.6 = 1172.6
- Calculate Water for electrolysisWater for electrolysis = round(dailyO2Kg * (18 / 16) * 10) / 107.3 = 7.3
Related Calculators
The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.
Life Support
Habitat Volume Calculator
Size pressurized habitat volume based on crew, mission duration, comfort level, and equipment needs.
Life SupportBioregenerative Life Support Calculator
Calculate food production, O2 output, and self-sufficiency from crop growing area in space habitats.
Life SupportWaste Management Capacity Calculator
Size waste processing, storage, and water recovery systems for space habitat waste management.
More in Science & Physics.