2014). One key aspect is the atmosphere management system responsible for providing
breathing air with suitable temperature, velocity, humidity and CO 2 .
8.7 Outlook
Building on the experience gathered from the C.E.B.A.S, Aquacells/OmegaHab and
MELISSA projects, the next generation of bioregenerative systems is now being
developed within European space life sciences programs in a modular approach
focusing on dissecting the complex interactions and interdependencies between
two and more species in a bioregenerative closed ecological life support system.
Maximizing the efficiency of a single component like a photobioreactor based on
understanding the precise needs of a photosynthetic organism still is a surprisingly
big challenge today but developing bioregenerative life support systems that may be
used to complement physico-chemical systems or even to provide food for long-term
space travelers in a closed-loop manner will be an essential precondition for the
future of humans exploring the solar system and the universe.
References
Anken RH, Baur U, Hilbig R (2010) Clinorotation increases the growth of utricular otoliths of
developing cichlid fish. Microgravity Sci Technol 22:151–154
Anken R, Brungs S, Grimm D, Knie M, Hilbig R (2016) Fish inner ear otolith growth under real
microgravity (spaceflight) and clinorotation. Microgravity Sci Technol 28:351–356
Barta DJ (2017) Getting out of orbit: water recycling requirements and technology needs for long
duration missions away from earth
Bluem V, Paris F (2001) Aquatic modules for bioregenerative life support systems based on the
C.E.B.A.S. biotechnology. Acta Astronaut 48:287–297
Blüm V (2003) Aquatic modules for bioregenerative life support systems: developmental aspects
based on the space flight results of the C.E.B.A.S. mini-module. Adv Space Res 31:1683–1691
Brungs S, Hauslage J, Hilbig R, Hemmersbach R, Anken R (2011) Effects of simulated weightlessness on fish otolith growth: clinostat versus rotating-wall vessel. Adv Space Res 48:792–798
Cucinotta FA, Kim M-HY, Chappell LJ, Huff JL (2013) How safe is safe enough? Radiation risk
for a human mission to Mars. PLoS One 8:e74988
Dweik RA, Laskowski D, Abu-Soud HM, Kaneko F, Hutte R, Stuehr DJ, Erzurum SC (1998) Nitric
oxide synthesis in the lung. Regulation by oxygen through a kinetic mechanism. J Clin Investig
101:660
Fulget N, Poughon L, Richalet J, Lasseur C (1999) MELISSA: global control strategy of the
artificial ecosystem by using first principles models of the compartments. Adv Space Res
24:397–405
Godia F, Albiol J, Montesinos J, Pérez J, Creus N, Cabello F, Mengual X, Montras A, Lasseur C
(2002) MELISSA: a loop of interconnected bioreactors to develop life support in space.
J Biotechnol 99:319–330
Gòdia F, Albiol J, Pérez J, Creus N, Cabello F, Montras A, Masot A, Lasseur C (2004) The
MELISSA pilotplant facility as an integrated test-bed for advanced life support systems. Adv
Space Res 34:1483–1493
120
8 Bioregenerative Life Support Systems in Space Research
breathing air with suitable temperature, velocity, humidity and CO 2 .
8.7 Outlook
Building on the experience gathered from the C.E.B.A.S, Aquacells/OmegaHab and
MELISSA projects, the next generation of bioregenerative systems is now being
developed within European space life sciences programs in a modular approach
focusing on dissecting the complex interactions and interdependencies between
two and more species in a bioregenerative closed ecological life support system.
Maximizing the efficiency of a single component like a photobioreactor based on
understanding the precise needs of a photosynthetic organism still is a surprisingly
big challenge today but developing bioregenerative life support systems that may be
used to complement physico-chemical systems or even to provide food for long-term
space travelers in a closed-loop manner will be an essential precondition for the
future of humans exploring the solar system and the universe.
References
Anken RH, Baur U, Hilbig R (2010) Clinorotation increases the growth of utricular otoliths of
developing cichlid fish. Microgravity Sci Technol 22:151–154
Anken R, Brungs S, Grimm D, Knie M, Hilbig R (2016) Fish inner ear otolith growth under real
microgravity (spaceflight) and clinorotation. Microgravity Sci Technol 28:351–356
Barta DJ (2017) Getting out of orbit: water recycling requirements and technology needs for long
duration missions away from earth
Bluem V, Paris F (2001) Aquatic modules for bioregenerative life support systems based on the
C.E.B.A.S. biotechnology. Acta Astronaut 48:287–297
Blüm V (2003) Aquatic modules for bioregenerative life support systems: developmental aspects
based on the space flight results of the C.E.B.A.S. mini-module. Adv Space Res 31:1683–1691
Brungs S, Hauslage J, Hilbig R, Hemmersbach R, Anken R (2011) Effects of simulated weightlessness on fish otolith growth: clinostat versus rotating-wall vessel. Adv Space Res 48:792–798
Cucinotta FA, Kim M-HY, Chappell LJ, Huff JL (2013) How safe is safe enough? Radiation risk
for a human mission to Mars. PLoS One 8:e74988
Dweik RA, Laskowski D, Abu-Soud HM, Kaneko F, Hutte R, Stuehr DJ, Erzurum SC (1998) Nitric
oxide synthesis in the lung. Regulation by oxygen through a kinetic mechanism. J Clin Investig
101:660
Fulget N, Poughon L, Richalet J, Lasseur C (1999) MELISSA: global control strategy of the
artificial ecosystem by using first principles models of the compartments. Adv Space Res
24:397–405
Godia F, Albiol J, Montesinos J, Pérez J, Creus N, Cabello F, Mengual X, Montras A, Lasseur C
(2002) MELISSA: a loop of interconnected bioreactors to develop life support in space.
J Biotechnol 99:319–330
Gòdia F, Albiol J, Pérez J, Creus N, Cabello F, Montras A, Masot A, Lasseur C (2004) The
MELISSA pilotplant facility as an integrated test-bed for advanced life support systems. Adv
Space Res 34:1483–1493
120
8 Bioregenerative Life Support Systems in Space Research