LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS BEYOND LOW EARTH ORBIT ADVOCATES FOR AN IMPROVED RESOURCES MANAGEMENT APPROACH

Nowadays, there are still many challenges to overcome in order to enable long-termed human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) and metabolic resources management (reliable air, water and food supply for the crew) is of utmost importance. Currently, Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) aim to overcome the challenge of constant re-supply from Earth requirement by revitalization of air and water. Here, we provide an overview of the existing and operating ECLSS on-board the International Space Station (ISS) as well as identify potential areas of technology development for biological ECLSS for long-term human space missions focusing on the inclusion of waste treatment and food production.

[1]  Stefania Paladini,et al.  Sustainable space for a sustainable Earth? Circular economy insights from the space sector. , 2021, Journal of environmental management.

[2]  T. J. Ngo-Anh,et al.  ‘White Mars’ – nearly two decades of biomedical research at the Antarctic Concordia station , 2020, Experimental physiology.

[3]  Brigitte Lamaze,et al.  Refinery and concentration of nutrients from urine with electrodialysis enabled by upstream precipitation and nitrification. , 2018, Water research.

[4]  Conrad Zeidler,et al.  Orbital Hub: a concept for human spaceflight beyond ISS operations , 2018 .

[5]  Stefania De Pascale,et al.  Microgreens as a Component of Space Life Support Systems: A Cornucopia of Functional Food , 2017, Front. Plant Sci..

[6]  M. Perchonok,et al.  Initial assessment of the nutritional quality of the space food system over three years of ambient storage , 2017, npj Microgravity.

[7]  MuskElon,et al.  Making Humans a Multi-Planetary Species , 2017 .

[8]  Xiaoyan Sun,et al.  Nitrogen cycling in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems: Challenges for waste refinery and food production processes , 2017 .

[9]  D. Prakash,et al.  Prebiotic Efficiency of Blue Green Algae on Probiotics Microorganisms , 2017 .

[10]  Kandyce Goodliff,et al.  NASA's advanced exploration systems Mars transit habitat refinement point of departure design , 2017, 2017 IEEE Aerospace Conference.

[11]  Bryan Mattfeld,et al.  Logistics needs for potential deep space mission scenarios post Asteroid Redirect crewed Mission , 2015, 2015 IEEE Aerospace Conference.

[12]  Bryan Mattfeld,et al.  Trajectory Trades for Mars Missions , 2014 .

[13]  Christopher A. Gallo,et al.  Waste Management Options for Long-Duration Space Missions: When to Reject, Reuse, or Recycle , 2014 .

[14]  Matthew Duggan,et al.  FLEXIBLE PATH ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND LIFE SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY - POSSIBLE FIRST STEPS TO MOVE BEYOND LEO , 2012 .

[15]  K. Udert,et al.  Complete nutrient recovery from source-separated urine by nitrification and distillation. , 2012, Water research.

[16]  Bérangère Farges,et al.  Simulation of the MELiSSA closed loop system as a tool to define its integration strategy , 2009 .

[17]  David E. Williams,et al.  International Space Station (ISS) Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Desiccant/Adsorbent Bed (DAB) Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) Redesign , 2007 .

[18]  Daniel J. Leonard,et al.  International Space Station (ISS) Nitrogen and Oxygen Logistics; Predictions verses Actuals , 2005 .

[19]  John F. Lewis,et al.  International Space Station (ISS) Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) System Equipment Failures, Causes, and Solutions February 2001 - February 2002 , 2002 .

[20]  Jim Knox,et al.  International Space Station (ISS) United States Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly Blower Anomaly Resolution , 2001 .

[21]  C. Lasseur,et al.  Biological Life Support within ESA Past and Future developments. , 2000 .

[22]  Jean-François Cornet,et al.  BIORAT: Preliminary Evaluation of Biological Life Support in Space Environment , 2000 .

[23]  Robert Kay,et al.  International Space Station (ISS) Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Protoflight Performance Testing , 1998 .

[24]  B. G. Kovrov,et al.  Life support system with autonomous control employing plant photosynthesis. , 1976, Acta astronautica.

[25]  Erik Seedhouse,et al.  Life Support Systems for Humans in Space , 2020 .

[26]  James L. Broyan,et al.  Mission Benefits Analysis of Logistics Reduction Technologies , 2013 .

[27]  David E. Williams,et al.  International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System Status: 2009 - 2010 , 2010 .

[28]  F Gòdia,et al.  The MELISSA pilot plant facility as as integration test-bed for advanced life support systems. , 2004, Advances in space research : the official journal of the Committee on Space Research.

[29]  W Verstraete,et al.  MELISSA: a potential experiment for a precursor mission to the Moon. , 1996, Advances in space research : the official journal of the Committee on Space Research.