A feature of SAM that has been desired for some time, for which the steel framing was designed, is the ability to seal off one or more sections such that we can conduct pressure tests of one section versus the other, and use the Test Module for plant growth studies while continuing to work in the Engineering Bay and Crew Quarters without interrupting the plant experiments.
From March 2025 through the close of the years, UA masters student Atila Meszaros and Luna Powel conducted a half dozen plant growth experiments. During this time they attached a plastic tarp to the steel frame on the TM side of the hatch between the TM and Engineering Bay (EB). While this worked, it was a temporary configuration and not ideal.
Last week Matthias removed the water line and fire detection wiring (a temporary condition) such that we he and Kai would design, fabricate, and fit a transparent PVC sheet onto the hatch frame. The water and electrical lines will be rerouted through a new bulkhead fitting that bypasses the bridge itself.
In a later pressure test (April 7), it it was determined that a flexible silicon-rubber membrane will be required in place of the close-cell foam that was adhered and tested, to provide the best possible seal in both a neutral pressure and pressure differential environment, and/or inclusion of clasps or magnetic attachment points.
