MELISSA: a loop of interconnected bioreactors to develop life support in space

Area of Science:

• Space exploration
• Biotechnology
• Environmental engineering

Background:

• Developing closed-loop life support systems is crucial for long-duration space missions.
• The Micro Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELISSA) project aims to create a regenerative life support system.
• Previous research focused on individual components, but integrated system performance at scale is key.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the development and characterization of an interconnected loop of continuous bioreactors for space life support.
• To evaluate the controlled operation of individual bioreactors and the integrated loop at a pilot scale.
• To specifically detail the performance of advanced bioreactors within the MELISSA loop.

Main Methods:

• Designing and constructing a loop comprising four bioreactors and a higher plant compartment.
• Characterizing the continuous and controlled operation of each bioreactor individually.
• Testing the interconnected operation of the bioreactor loop at the pilot scale.
• Focusing on a packed-bed reactor with immobilized Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter, and a photobioreactor for Spirulina platensis.

Main Results:

• Successful long-duration individual operation and characterization of advanced bioreactors.
• Demonstrated controlled, interconnected operation of the bioreactor loop at pilot scale.
• Validated the performance of key components for a regenerative life support system.

Conclusions:

• The developed bioreactor loop shows promise for enabling sustainable life support in space.
• The successful pilot-scale integration confirms the feasibility of the MELISSA loop concept.
• This study provides a foundation for further development and optimization of bioregenerative life support systems for space exploration.