In the aerospace context, conditioning refers to the process of controlling the temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors within an aircraft or spacecraft to provide a comfortable and safe environment for passengers and crew members.
It can also refer to the process of preparing and maintaining aerospace equipment, such as engines, avionics and other systems, to ensure they function correctly and safely.
Examples of conditioning in the aerospace context include:
- Cabin conditioning: This refers to the process of controlling the temperature and humidity within the passenger cabin of an aircraft. This is typically done by using a system of ducts, valves, and temperature control units to circulate cooled or heated air throughout the cabin.
- Pressurization: This refers to the process of maintaining a safe and comfortable cabin altitude by controlling the pressure inside the cabin of an aircraft in relation to the altitude and pressure outside the aircraft.
- Engine conditioning: This refers to the process of maintaining and preparing engines and other propulsion systems, including cleaning, lubrication, and testing to ensure they are in good working order before flight.
- Avionics conditioning: This refers to the process of maintaining and preparing avionics systems, such as navigation, communication and flight control systems, to ensure they are in good working order before flight.
Aircraft and spacecraft are complex systems that are affected by a variety of environmental conditions, and proper conditioning is essential for their safe and efficient operation. Conditioning systems are designed to ensure that the aircraft or spacecraft's systems are functioning correctly and safely and to provide a comfortable environment for the crew and passengers.