THE POSSIBILITY OF USING PLANTS IN LIFE-SUPPORT SYSTEMS DURING LONG-TERM SPACE FLIGHTS

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.L. Mashinsky ◽  
G.S. Nechitailo
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Life Support Systems ◽  
Space Flights

Development of a regenerated carbon dioxide absorber for human life support systems during long space flights

2019 ◽  
pp. 37-50
Author(s):  
N. V. Posternak ◽  
Yu. A. Ferapontov ◽  
S. N. Erokhin ◽  
V. V. Donskikh ◽  
M. B. Alehina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Polymer Matrix ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Life Support Systems ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Absorber ◽  
Space Flights ◽  
Dioxide Absorber

In the development of life support systems for long-term space missions, the most important tasks are the absorption of carbon dioxide from the air, the production of carbon dioxide with a concentration above 98 %, and the production of oxygen from carbon dioxide by the Bosch – Sabatier process. To solve these problems, a regenerative carbon dioxide absorber adapted to space flight conditions is required. The article proposes a new method for the production of chemosorbents based on hydrated zirconium oxide using polyacrylates as a binder and polymer matrix. The regenerated absorber of carbon dioxide for its application in space flights must meet the regulatory requirements of sanitary-chemical and toxicological safety of materials intended for the equipment of inhabited sealed rooms, be resistant to radiation and to the effects of mold. In the study of the processes of “sorption – desorption” of carbon dioxide, we have established the relationship between the technological parameters of the synthesis of chemosorbents and the kinetic parameters of the processes of mass-sorption of sorbate in the “sorption – regeneration” cycles. It is found that the optimal weight ratio of the “adsorbent – filler/polymer matrix” 89÷94/11÷6 is optimal in terms of the performance characteristics of the developed absorbers. It is shown experimentally that the main operational characteristics of the developed materials do not change under experimental conditions during 2000 “sorption – regeneration” cycles. The resulting chemosorbents are investigated by physicochemical analysis. Employing methods of gas chromatography and chromatomass spectrometry, we have conducted sanitary and chemical studies and toxicological assessment of the quantitative and qualitative composition of the components of gas release of the developed regenerated carbon dioxide absorber and air-gas mixture formed during the regeneration of the regenerated carbon dioxide absorber. Also we have carried out microbiological tests of samples of the regenerated absorber of carbon dioxide for resistance of material to influence of mold mushrooms. The results obtained confirm the possibility of using the developed materials in life support systems of manned spacecraft for deep space exploration.

Deuterium-free water in complex life-support systems of long-term space missions

2003 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 575-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Sinyak ◽  
A. Grigoriev ◽  
V. Gaydadimov ◽  
T. Gurieva ◽  
M. Levinskih ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Free Water ◽  
Space Missions ◽  
Life Support Systems

scholarly journals Biosphere 2’s Lessons about Living on Earth and in Space

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mark Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Life Support Systems ◽  
Biosphere 2 ◽  
Space Life Support ◽  
Bioregenerative Life Support

Biosphere 2, the largest and most biodiverse closed ecological system facility yet created, has contributed vital lessons for living with our planetary biosphere and for long-term habitation in space. From the space life support perspective, Biosphere 2 contrasted with previous BLSS work by including areas based on Earth wilderness biomes in addition to its provision for human life support and by using a soil-based intensive agricultural system producing a complete human diet. No previous BLSS system had included domestic farm animals. All human and domestic animal wastes were also recycled and returned to the crop soils. Biosphere 2 was important as a first step towards learning how to miniaturize natural ecosystems and develop technological support systems compatible with life. Biosphere 2’s mostly successful operation for three years (1991-1994) changed thinking among space life support scientists and the public at large about the need for minibiospheres for long-term habitation in space. As an Earth systems laboratory, Biosphere 2 was one of the first attempts to make ecology an experimental science at a scale relevant to planetary issues such as climate change, regenerative agriculture, nutrient and water recycling, loss of biodiversity, and understanding of the roles wilderness biomes play in the Earth’s biosphere. Biosphere 2 aroused controversy because of narrow definitions and expectations of how science is to be conducted. The cooperation between engineers and ecologists and the requirement to design a technosphere that supported the life inside without harming it have enormous relevance to what is required in our global home. Applications of bioregenerative life support systems for near-term space applications such as initial Moon and/or Mars bases, will be severely limited by high costs of transport to space and so will rely on lighter weight, hydroponic systems of growing plants which will focus first on water and air regeneration and gradually increase its production of food required by astronauts or inhabitants. The conversion of these systems to more robust and sustainable systems will require advanced technologies, e.g., to capture sunlight for plant growth or process usable materials from the lunar or Martian atmosphere and regolith, leading to greater utilization of in situ space resources and less on transport from Earth. There are many approaches to the accomplishment of space life support. Significant progress has been made especially by two research efforts in China and the MELiSSA project of the European Space Agency. These approaches use cybernetic controls and the integration of intensive modules to accomplish food production, waste treatment and recycling, atmospheric regeneration, and in some systems, high-protein production from insects and larvae. Biosphere 2 employed a mix of ecological self-organization and human intervention to protect biodiversity for wilderness biomes with a tighter management of food crops in its agriculture. Biosphere 2’s aims were different than bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) which have focused exclusively on human life support. Much more needs to be learned from both smaller, efficient ground-based BLSS for nearer-term habitation and from minibiospheric systems for long-term space application to transform humanity and Earth-life into truly multiplanet species.

scholarly journals Agro-biology for bioregenerative Life Support Systems in long-term Space missions: General constraints and the Italian efforts

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica De Micco ◽  
Giovanna Aronne ◽  
Giuseppe Colla ◽  
Raimondo Fortezza ◽  
Stefania De Pascale
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Space Missions ◽  
Life Support Systems ◽  
General Constraints ◽  
Bioregenerative Life Support

Aquacells — Flagellates under long-term microgravity and potential usage for life support systems

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 210-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donat-P. Häder ◽  
Peter R. Richter ◽  
S. M. Strauch ◽  
M. Schuster
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Life Support Systems
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document