Human life support for advanced space exploration

Area of Science:

• Space Exploration
• Life Support Systems
• Astrobiology

Background:

• Long-duration space missions require robust human life support systems.
• Existing systems often rely on resupply, posing logistical and mass challenges.
• Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) offer a sustainable alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review requirements for space mission life support systems.
• To evaluate the conceptual design of a Lunar Based CELSS.
• To assess the feasibility and practicality of a hybrid physicochemical/biological CELSS for lunar and Martian bases.

Main Methods:

• Review of life support system requirements for long-duration space missions.
• Description of a controlled ecological life support system design.
• Detailed study of a conceptual Lunar Based CELSS, integrating hybrid technologies.

Main Results:

• A completely recycling CELSS for a lunar base is feasible and practical.
• Lunar Base CELSS offers significant cumulative launch mass savings, with breakeven points ranging from 1.7 to 2.6 years.
• Food production subsystems require the most focus for mass and power efficiency; existing technologies are adequate, but R&D can improve efficiency.

Conclusions:

• A hybrid physicochemical/biological CELSS is a viable and cost-effective solution for lunar bases.
• Future research should prioritize optimizing food production efficiency and integrating existing technologies.
• The developed CELSS design is adaptable for Mars missions, with potential advantages due to Martian atmospheric CO2 and day/night cycles.