Arvada Engineering Firm Advances NASA Spacewalk Tech
The new ventilation fan design extends spacewalk capacity to eight hours for International Space Station operations.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Space
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Arvada-based engineering firm Barber-Nichols is a finalist in a statewide competition for its ventilation fan designed for next-generation NASA space suits. The component, which began development in 2019, is engineered to manage oxygen flow and carbon dioxide removal in extravehicular mobility units.
Why it matters
The fan design replaces aging life-support hardware, enabling extended spacewalk durations necessary for ongoing operations on the International Space Station and future Artemis lunar missions.
The fan provides an 8-hour oxygen flow duration, significantly increasing the 1-hour operational limit without active circulation. This represents a substantial upgrade over the current life-support hardware fleet used at the International Space Station.
The players
Barber-Nichols
An Arvada-based engineering firm specializing in high-performance pumps and specialized rotating machinery for aerospace and defense applications.
Axiom Space
A developer of commercial space infrastructure, including the next-generation extravehicular mobility units intended for NASA mission use.
NASA
The United States federal agency responsible for the civilian space program, aeronautics research, and space exploration operations.
The details
The Ventilation Oxygen Loop Fan operates by maintaining a continuous flow of oxygen across the suit's faceplate at a rate synchronized with the astronaut's breathing. This active circulation displaces exhaled carbon dioxide, which is a critical safety requirement for preventing hypoxia in closed-loop environments. The component is integrated into suits developed by Axiom Space for NASA to support mission-critical extravehicular activities.
Timeline
Design work for the fan began in 2019.
The contest winner will be announced at a banquet on Nov. 12, 2026.
The Tech Race
This component represents a critical upgrade for the life-support architecture needed to replace aging hardware currently deployed at the International Space Station. It aligns with the technical demands of the NASA Artemis lunar program, which requires extended-duration extravehicular capability.
The public can participate in the selection process by casting a vote for the People's Choice award via an online poll. This contest highlights industrial manufacturing capabilities located within the Arvada region that support national aerospace goals.
The takeaway
This fan design marks a transition toward modern, high-duration life support systems essential for lunar exploration. Residents should watch the Nov. 12, 2026 banquet for the final announcement of the contest winners.
What happens next
The contest winner will be announced at an awards banquet on Nov. 12, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local contributions to off-world infrastructure, see the latest in Space.
More information
To cast a vote in the competition, visit the Colorado Chamber online voting portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Arvada Press.
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