Dynamic simulation of the laboratory-scale controlled ecological life support system

Area of Science:

• Space exploration engineering
• Life support systems
• Agricultural science

Background:

• Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) are crucial for long-duration space missions.
• Integrating crop growth chambers presents design and control challenges for system stability.
• Closing the carbon loop is essential for self-sustaining life support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the stability and robustness of closed-loop life support systems over extended periods.
• To evaluate design options and operational alternatives for integrated crop growth chambers and waste processors.
• To understand the impact of system buffer size on the dynamic behavior within a crop growth chamber.

Main Methods:

• Development of a dynamic simulation model for the integrated system.
• Construction of an experimental testbed at NASA Ames Research Center.
• Simulation of system design options, operational alternatives, and buffer size impacts.

Main Results:

• A dynamic simulation model was created to assess system performance.
• The study simulated the effects of buffer size on internal environmental conditions.
• Integration of a crop growth chamber with a solid waste processor to study carbon loop closure.

Conclusions:

• Resolving design and control issues is vital for CELSS functionality.
• Modeling and simulation are key tools for exploring system dynamics and optimizing designs.
• Further research is needed to ensure the stability and robustness of life support systems for space exploration.