Method and system for extracting and disposing of water vapor contained in the air of a space vehicle

A system for extracting and discharging water vapor contained in a volume of pressurized air, comprising:

• a cooled condensation device in contact with the volume of pressurized air, wherein condensed water is transferred into collection areas by means of capillary attraction,
• an evaporation device comprising a decompression chamber in thermal contact with the condensation device, and having an inlet connected to the collection areas by means of a first valve device, and an outlet connected by means of a second valve device to a space wherein pressure is lower than that of the volume of pressurized air, and
• control means for controlling the first and second valve devices according to a control cycle comprising a first phase of opening and then closing the second valve device whereas the first valve device is closed, so as to place the decompression chamber under negative pressure in relation to the volume of pressurized air, and a second phase of opening the first valve device, whereas the second valve device is closed, so as to suction the condensed water in the collection areas of the condensation device towards the decompression chamber, until the pressure in the decompression chamber reaches a predefined value.