Contemporary technologies of early detection of fire in space vehicles

A fairly reliable method of fire detection at an early stage is suggested and proved. The method is based on the monitoring of the air chemical composition, which changes strongly due to thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) of overheated combustible materials that are starting to smolder. It is at this stage of incipient fire that adequate measures can be taken for fire extinction with simple tools or, in the case of overheating of electrical equipment, for switching off this equipment automatically using a signal from the fire protection system thereby eliminating the fire hazardous situation. Fire detectors and microcontrollers are designed. These gas fire detectors are particularly suitable at the objects with active ventilation, fоr example, at space vehicles. •State-of-the-art technologies of manufacturing gas-sensitive sensor arrays are developed.•The developed technologies ensure production sensors with power consumption below 1mW.•Target is increase in the vehicle safety including space vehicles.