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Insects in bioregenerative life support systems: unlocking their role in space sustainability.

Åsa Berggren1, Annette Bruun Jensen2, David Copplestone3

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Frontiers in Physiology
|September 26, 2025
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Summary

Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) for space exploration need more research on insects and invertebrates. These species offer potential for sustainable food and waste recycling in closed habitats.

Keywords:
bioregenerative life support systemscircular systemsedible insectsnutrient cyclingspace food production

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Area of Science:

  • Space exploration
  • Ecology
  • Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS)

Background:

  • Long-duration space missions require sustainable Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS).
  • Current BLSS research heavily favors plants, neglecting animals and ecological interactions.
  • Insects and invertebrates are underrepresented in BLSS studies despite their potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) literature.
  • To identify the underrepresentation of insects and invertebrates in BLSS research.
  • To highlight the need for research on insect integration in space habitats.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of 280 Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS)-focused studies.
  • Analysis of species inclusion and experimental interactions within reviewed studies.
  • Comparison with terrestrial circular food systems.

Main Results:

  • Only 13 studies experimentally included insects, with limited exploration of species interactions.
  • Insects like mealworms and silkworms show promise but are underexamined under space conditions.
  • Knowledge gaps in BLSS mirror those in terrestrial circular food systems.

Conclusions:

  • Insects and invertebrates are crucial for nutrient recycling and protein production in space habitats.
  • Targeted research on insect physiology and interactions under space stressors is essential.
  • Integrating insights from Earth-based systems can advance insect use in closed-loop space habitats.