The US Space Shuttle program did not include air conditioning in the traditional sense because space shuttles operate in the vacuum of space where there is no atmosphere to conduct heat. In space, there is no medium for convection or conduction, which are the main mechanisms of heat transfer we rely on in everyday conditions here on Earth.
Instead of using traditional air conditioning systems, the space shuttle relied on a combination of other methods to manage temperature:
Radiators: The shuttle used large radiators to dissipate excess heat generated by the systems on board. These radiators released heat through thermal radiation into space.
Heat Exchangers: Inside the shuttle, heat exchangers transferred heat from the internal systems to the external radiators.
Insulation: The shuttle was extensively insulated to prevent external temperatures from affecting the interior environment. This insulation worked to keep the interior cool and protect it from the extreme temperatures of space.
Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS): The shuttle's ECLSS was responsible for regulating the environment inside the spacecraft, including temperature control. It maintained a comfortable temperature for astronauts during their missions.
While there was no traditional air conditioning system, the ECLSS and thermal control mechanisms provided a stable and comfortable environment for the astronauts aboard the space shuttle during their missions. These methods are unique to space travel and were designed to work in the extreme conditions of space, where traditional air conditioning systems would not function effectively.