The Antaeus project: An orbital quarantine facility for analysis of planetary return samples

A systems design study group jointly sponsored by the American Society for Engineering Education, Stanford University and NASA's Ames Research Center, was requested to develop a design for an orbiting quarantine facility. The proposed facility is constructed of Spacelab shells formed into five modules of different sizes, each compatible with missions of other objectives. Once placed in a low Earth orbit by the Space Shuttle, each component is linked via the international docking system. Radiating from the docking module are a replaceable logistics module which stores a thirty day supply of consumables and waste, a module providing living quarters for five crew members, a power system module, and a quarantine testing laboratory. Within the laboratory module is a primary barrier system of sealed cabinets in which the sample is assessed for life forms. These chambers isolate the sample from terrestrial contamination and protect the researchers. A combination of procedures and mechanisms separates the laboratory module from the remainder of the facility and provides a secondary barrier. The conditions of space provide a tertiary barrier protecting the Earth's biosphere.