L3-DST-LOCK-VAC
CRITICAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
Level 3 · hardware
Lock Vacuum Equilibration
Vacuum Equilibration and Re-Pressurization Control
Controlled vacuum equilibration and re-pressurization between lock stages, recovering atmosphere gas via vacuum pump rather than venting.
Purpose
Controlled vacuum equilibration and re-pressurization between lock stages, recovering atmosphere gas via vacuum pump rather than venting.
Context
Child of L2-DST-LOCK within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Multi-stage pump-down then re-pressurise on inner stage
- ▸Recovered gas saved for L1-WMS atmospheric reserve
- ▸Time-managed sequence avoids long lock cycles
- ▸Pressure equalisation valves for safety
- ▸Coordinated with L3-DST-LOCK-STAGE
Typical implementations
- ▸ISS airlock pump-down heritage
- ▸Aerospace airlock atmosphere recovery
- ▸Industrial vacuum chamber equipment
Lunar considerations
- ▸Closed-loop gas recovery essential
- ▸Long-life vacuum pump (scroll or magnetic-coupled)
- ▸Power-efficient pumps prioritised
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Controlled vacuum equilibration and re-pressurization between lock stages, recovering atmosphere gas via vacuum pump rather than venting. |
| pump speed l per s | 50 |
| recovery percent | 90 |
Physical
| mass kg | 30 |
| materials | Scroll vacuum pump, 316L SS piping, Pressure transducers |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 200 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 15 |
| mtbf hours | 30000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Vacuum + repressurisation service
- Recovered atmosphere
Requires
- Vacuum pump (~200 W during cycle)
- Time for cycle management
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Lock Vacuum Equilibration" (L3-DST-LOCK-VAC). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-DST-LOCK-VAC
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.