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MELISSA: a potential experiment for a precursor mission to the Moon
C h Lasseur1, W Verstraete, J B Gros
1Thermal Control and Life Support Division, ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands.
Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
The MELISSA project develops micro-organism based ecosystems for space missions, focusing on recycling waste and CO2 into edible biomass using sunlight. This study explores its application for a lunar base precursor mission, proposing a carbon cycle experiment.
Area of Science:
- Space exploration
- Bioregenerative life support systems
- Microbial ecology
Background:
- The MELISSA (Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative) project aims to create artificial ecosystems for long-term space missions.
- Key technology involves recovering edible biomass from waste, CO2, and minerals using solar energy.
- This research focuses on MELISSA's applicability for a precursor mission to the Moon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the requirements for bioregenerative life support systems.
- To present the MELISSA concept, theoretical, and technical approaches.
- To propose a preliminary experiment for a Moon mission based on the MELISSA carbon cycle.
Main Methods:
- Review of bioregenerative life support requirements.
- Explanation of the MELISSA concept and its technological underpinnings.
- Presentation of obtained research results.
Main Results:
- The study reviews life support requirements and MELISSA's foundational principles.
- It details theoretical and technical aspects of the MELISSA system.
- Preliminary results and a proposed carbon cycle experiment for lunar missions are presented.
Conclusions:
- MELISSA offers a viable pathway for sustainable life support in space.
- The system's potential for lunar precursor missions is highlighted.
- A carbon cycle experiment is proposed to further validate MELISSA's capabilities for space exploration.