Leidos, a prominent US-based company in the field of science and technology, has announced the successful deployment of its Exploration Potable Water Dispenser (xPWD) for use on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of its contract with NASA’s Cargo Mission Contract (CMC).
Grant Kim, Senior Vice President and Operations Manager at Leidos, said that the xPWD is designed to provide astronauts with high-quality drinking water in space while creating a healthy environment for them to focus on their research.
The xPWD delivers water suitable for consumption, ensuring it’s at the right temperature for rehydrating food and beverages. Its updated design allows for the transmission of health and status telemetry data, helping assess overall system performance and enabling updates through ground commands. It also features an efficient plumbing system and a unique Thermal Expansion Device, eliminating the need for components that can cause the spread of biofilm and microbes.
The xPWD includes a chemical-free Ultraviolet reactor designed by AquiSense Technologies. This reactor uses UV-C LED technology to disinfect water at the point of use, ensuring longer operational lifespans and reducing the need for frequent maintenance or replacements. This is particularly valuable for long-duration missions that can last for years.
Leidos completed the assembly and certification of the xPWD in December 2022. The unit was delivered for launch on the NG-19 Cygnus spacecraft, which was successfully launched on August 1, 2023. The xPWD was installed on the ISS on August 30, 2023, and has been fully operational, providing the crew with the potable water they need.
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