ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Primary life support system

Okay, so imagine you're an astronaut floating in space in a spaceship or a space station. You need air to breathe, water to drink, and food to eat, just like you do on Earth. But in space, you can't just open a window and get some fresh air or run to the kitchen for a snack. That's where the Primary Life Support System (PLSS) comes in.

The PLSS is a special suit that the astronaut wears, kind of like a big backpack with lots of tubes and wires. It keeps the astronaut alive by providing three things: air, water, and temperature control.

First, the PLSS needs to provide the astronaut with air to breathe. It does this by using a device called a "regenerative life support system" that removes carbon dioxide that the astronaut exhales and replaces it with fresh oxygen. This system also takes in the air that the astronaut breathes out and removes any bad smells or harmful particles before recycling it back to the astronaut.

Second, the PLSS needs to provide the astronaut with water to drink. Again, the regenerative system is used to recycle any sweat or urine that the astronaut produces and purifies it so the astronaut can drink it. The water is then stored in a special tank in the PLSS.

Finally, the PLSS needs to keep the astronaut at a comfortable temperature. In space, there's no atmosphere to help keep you warm or cool, but the PLSS has special components that can heat or cool the air in the suit to keep the astronaut comfortable.

In summary, the primary life support system is a special suit that astronauts wear to provide them with air to breathe, water to drink, and temperature control while floating in space. It has a special recycling system that purifies the astronaut's breath and bodily fluids to conserve resources and maintain a livable environment.