• no air

• no food

• radiation

• microgravity (heat convection, sedimentation, drops(gelutscht))

• no pressure

• extreeeem temperatures

Human metabolism

Materials off-gassing

consumables/operating materials

Bsp: combustion products, siloxanes, solvents

hektor :)

rest in piece :(

ich haha

• pressure

• oxygen

• co2

• adequate temperature

• drinking water

• disposal of water (adequate humidity)

• food

• disposal of waste

• radiation shielding

main functions

• keep the crew alive healthy and happy

funtion

• provide adequate pressure

sub functions

• provide adequate oxygen partial pressure

subsub funcitons

• provide minimum oxygem partial pressure

—> requrenment: the minimum partial pressure in the vehicle shall be …..

open loop

partialy closed

closed loop

physical chemical

• evaporation, condenstion, oxydation, filtration, electrolysis……………………………………………….

biological

• photosynthesis, respiration, biofiltration, fermentation, mineralisation, cell division, decomposition…

hybrid

• nope

+ simple, reliable

+ impervious (undurchlässig) for solids

+ effectively handle sticky organic pastes and inorganic salts

- high energy use

- high resupply mass

quantative aspects - equivalent system mass

qualitative aspects:

pure O2//Mixed Gas

seperate tanks for O2/N2 etc. // or pre mixed gasses in tanks

Crew Health and Safety Requirements

Materials Requirements

Science Requirement

Mission, Vehicle, and Space Suit Optimization

Preflight Testing Requirements

Program Requirements

• Bleed System

• Carbonation Reactions (robust and safe, but high re-supply mass)

• Superoxides (KO2) (CO2 removal and O2 production, but sensitive to humidity)

• Metal Oxides (volume efficient, but energy intensive regeneration -> spacesuits)

• Zeolites (regenerate, but attracts water as well and high system complexity)

• Amines (regenerator, but produces ammonia)

• Ionic Liquids

• Electrochemical Depolarized Concentrator (membranes and electrodes and shit [not literal])

• Air Polarized Concentrator

Supply from Earth:

• Tanks

• Oxygen candles (chemical generators)

• Hyperoxides ???

• Water for electrolysis

In-Situ Resources:

• Reclaimed water

• Captured CO2

• Water ice on the surface (Moon, Mars, Europa, Enceladus…)

• Oxygen from Regolith (electrolysis)

• Oxygen from Mars’ CO2 atmosphere

• Sabatier Reaction (CO2 + 4H2 -> CH4 + 2H2O + Q): low mass, power, volume, but H2 budget unbalanced

• Solid Oxide Electrolysis (CO2 split into CO and O, O goes through electrolyte): low resupply mass, maintenance, but CO needs post-treatment. Was on Mars

• Bosch Process / Reactor (CO2 + 2H2 -> C + 2H2O + Q): generation of water, but high mass, volume, power and low efficiency

• Carbon Formation Reactor (CH4 + Q -> C + H2): H2 can be used, but high power and maintenance (removal of carbon)

• Photocatalysis (light makes reaction go brrrrrr): split water into components, lightweight, but low TRL

• Catalytic decomposition

• Ultraviolet photolysis

:(

• Condensing Heat Exchangers

  • ISS CCAA (International Space Station’s Common Cabin Air Assembl)

  • CHX (condesing heat exchanger)with Laser Processed Surface

• Membranes, yep

• Amines & Zeolites (whatever the fuck thats supposed to mean lol)

to prevent condensation deltaT between Exchanger and Gas should be very low —> low efficiency

—> Temperatur and Humidity are coupled —> cannot be efficiently be controlled uncoupled

Activated Charcoal

Additional removal capability: Catalytic Oxidizer

idk fans i guess?

und dat hier:

hahahahahah ahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

• Short missions: simple/open-loop systems can be sufficient.

• Long missions: regenerative systems become advantageous.

• Very long missions / Mars: very high water recovery is essential because resupply is extremely costly.

The technology influences:

• Mass

• Power consumption

• Volume

• Complexity

• Reliability / maintenance

• Resupply requirements

Potential crops include lettuce, radish, tomato, potato, sweet potatoe, wheat, rice, soybean, peanut, spinach, carrot …

They require:

• Light (sunlight or artificial light; light efficiency is important)

• Water – sufficient quality and quantity

• Nutrients

• Suitable environmental conditions for growth

Plants can contribute to:

• Atmosphere management: absorb CO₂ and produce O₂ through photosynthesis.

• Water management: take up water and release it through transpiration; transpired water can be recovered.

• Food production: provide edible biomass and nutrients.

• Waste management: biomass can be processed and nutrients recycled.

➔ plants can help close the CO₂/O₂, water, food and nutrient loops.

• Provide Pressure

• Provide Oxygen

• Remove CO2

• Remove Humidity

• Control Temperature

• Control Trace Contaminants

• Provide Ventilation

Biological systems are not particularly useful for short missions, because they require space, resources and time to establish and operate.

They become more interesting for long-duration missions and permanent human

presence, especially beyond Earth orbit.

An important advantage is their psychological value, which is not captured by the

conventional ESM calculation.

Bioregenerative systems require:

• Significant space, especially for food production.

• Artificial lighting when sunlight is insufficient.

• Water and nutrient management.

• Additional infrastructure and maintenance.

• Consideration of system stability and reliability.

• Potential automation to reduce maintenance.

Plants can provide several functions simultaneously, which can reduce the need for separate technical subsystems. The psychological benefits also need to be considered because ESM (Equivalent system mass) does not account for them.

• Suitable Temperature & pH

• Light intensity & duration

• CO2 concentration

• Water quality

• Fertilization

• Cultivation techniques

• Growth rate

• O2 production and CO2 consumption

• Nutrient requirements

• Environmental tolerance

• Population densities

• Chlorella

• Scenedesmus

• Spirulina

Tropism is a phenomenon indicating the growth or turning movement of an organism, usually a plant, in response to an environmental stimulus.

• Single cell organism

• 2-15 μm

• Wide temperature & pH tolerance

• Growth in wide CO2 range

• Controllable metabolism by selective processing

• No gravitaxis

• Edible biomass

Non-axenic cultivation means that the algae culture is not completely free of other

microorganisms, such as bacteria.

This can be advantageous because bacteria can form a stable microbial community with the algae and support nutrient recycling and algae growth.

Common PBR types include:

• Tubular reactors: algae circulate through transparent tubes.

• Flat-panel / flat-bed reactors: algae are cultivated in a thin, illuminated layer.

• Airlift reactors: gas bubbles provide circulation and mixing.

• Column reactors: vertical vessels in which gas injection drives circulation.

The choice depends on factors such as light distribution, mixing, gas exchange, volume and gravity level.

Gas (usually air/CO₂) is injected into the reactor.

The gas bubbles reduce the density of the liquid in the riser, causing it to move upward. The liquid then flows downward through the downcomer, creating circulation.

Flat-Panel Airlift Photobioreactor

PBR in the lab:

• High biomass density

• High growth rates

• „Flashing Light Effect”

• Not μg compatible

A PBR system requires:

• Photobioreactor for algae cultivation

• Illumination system (LEDs)

• Gas management for CO₂ supply and O₂ removal

• Liquid management for nutrients, feeding and harvesting

• Thermal control

• Sensors and control system

• Pump for liquid circulation.

PBRs are mainly useful for long-duration missions, where biological systems can contribute to regenerative life support.

For short missions, the additional mass, volume, power and complexity are generally not worthwhile.

—> starting from 4-7 years of mission duration

• tubular (e.g. PBR@LSR)

• flat panel (with pump)

• NOT Airlift reactors (rely on gravity for bubbles to rise)

Peristaltic pump because it does not kill the algae

Use red and blue LEDs, because microalgae have strong absorption peaks around 435, 475 and 676 nm.

• Blue light: promotes cell growth

• Red light: promotes proliferation

The light intensity and spectral composition can be adjusted dynamically during cultivation.

Optical measurement with laser:

Optical Density (OD) is measured: how much light passes through the sample?

The PBR@LSR is designed for microgravity cultivation of microalgae.

Main characteristics:

• Flat-bed reactor with semipermeable gas-exchange membrane

• Controlled, homogeneous flow

• Avoids algae aggregation and biofilm formation

• LED illumination

• Sensors for O₂, CO₂, humidity, temperature, pH and biomass

• Liquid exchange allows nutrient supply and algae harvesting

• Designed for long-duration cultivation.

Compared with Earth, the main differences are:

• Different gravity level

• Limited availability/value of space, materials, energy and crew time

• System failures have more severe consequences because resupply and

  maintenance are difficult.

Therefore, a lunar/Martian PBR must be designed for high reliability, low resource

consumption, efficient use of space and minimal crew involvement.

• Bacteria

• Fungi

• Sponges (LÜGE, LÜGE, LÜGE)

• Animals: Insects, …

spherical, rod-shaped, spiral and other —> many different species for many different jobs

• More regenerative / higher loop closure

• More resource-efficient

• More autonomous and reliable

• Increasingly important for lunar and deep-space missions

• Potentially combined with ISRU, e.g. using lunar water deposits to produce

  oxygen.

The main development was increasing loop closure and regeneration:

Open-loop spacecraft → partially closed space stations → highly regenerative future

systems.

Examples include regenerative CO₂ removal, water recovery from humidity and urine, and

water electrolysis for O₂ production.

1. Distillation Assembly

2. ARFTA (advanced recycle Filter Tank Assembly)

3. brine filter

4. Back to the DA

5. Separator and into Water Processor Assembly

• Water loop closure → reduces water resupply.

• O₂/atmosphere loop closure → reduces oxygen/gas resupply.

• Food/nutrient loop closure → can reduce food and nutrient resupply.

• Waste recycling → reduces waste and can recover useful resources.

  The key trend is: higher loop closure → less consumable resupply.

LSS evolved from mainly open-loop systems toward increasingly regenerative and closed-

loop systems.

• Early spacecraft: mostly consumables were stored and discarded.

• Space stations: increasing water and atmosphere recycling.

• Modern/future stations: higher loop closure and more regenerative technologies

• Short-duration spacecraft: mainly open-loop LSS, because resupply is feasible and simplicity is important.

• Space stations: partially closed-loop systems with higher recycling rates.

• Long-duration / lunar missions: highly closed-loop LSS, because resupply is expensive and difficult.

• Long-term storage

• Limited mass and volume

• Food preparation and water availability

• Variety and nutritional requirements

• Crew time and resources

• Resupply limitations.

• Pre-Packaged food

  • Freeze dried

  • Thermostabilized

  • Irradiated

  • Plastic bags or cans

  • Drinks as powder

• Fresh food only briefly when resupply vehicles arrive

• No alcohol…

• Compaction and Drying

• Pyrolysis

• Steam Reforming

• Gasification

• Supercritical Water Oxidation

• Recover valuable material/gases

• Reduce trash volume

• Principal: add heat and maybe some other substances

• Trash is compressed and lightly heated (ca. 180°C)

• Torrefaction around 225°C for sterilization

• Effluent liquids and gases are collected and provided to other ECLSS subsystems

• Thermal decomposition of organic waste in the absence of oxygen

• Products:

  • Pyrolysis gas (H2, CO, CH4, CO2)

  • Liquids (tar, oil)

  • Biochar (carbon + ash)

• Different ways to archieve pyrolysis

  • Conventional Pyrolysis (400-700°C)

  • Microwave (Assisted) Pyrolysis (hotter: 500-1000°C)

  • Plasma Pyrolysis (even hotter: 3000-6000 K)

• Relevant for Trash-to-Gas and Trash-to-Supply-Gas architectures

• High-temperature reaction of organic compounds with steam

• Temperature: 700-1000°C

• Catalyst required

• Chemical conversion of wastes to hydrogen-rich synthesis gas (H2, CO, CO2)

• Second step Sabatier reactor

• Current example system: Advanced Organic Waste Gasifier (AOWG)

• Using an oxidizer to fully convert biomass into synthesis gas

• Temperature: 800-1200°C

• Uses controlled partial combustion to generate the heat required for thermochemical conversion

• Current example system: Oxidative Steam Cycle for Advanced Recovery (OSCAR)

Thermal Sources:

• Humans (50-130 W)

• Experiments

• all electrical equipment on the space

• structure

Humidity Sources (latent heat: heat required for phase change of substance):

• Humans (50-550 W)

• Experimetns

• Other ECLSS subsystems

Loads are not constant!!

• Complete oxidation of organic waste in supercritical water

• Water above its critical point acts as a unique reaction medium

• Temperature: 400-650°C

• Pressure: 22-30 Mpa

• Prefers wet trash

• High destruction efficiency, almost no complex organics left, complete sterilization

Human wastes

• CO2

• Humidity

• Urine

• Feces

More:

• Experiments

• Hair

• Packaging

• Clothes

• …

Trash is any material that is no longer needed or useful during the mission and has to be stored, processed, recycled or disposed of.

• Human waste

• Food waste and packaging

• Hygiene waste

• Clothing and other personal items

• Disposable materials and equipment

On ISS: ~3.6kg/person/day

1500 g

Carbon Loop

Years

20 %

120 min

200 m

53-73

790-890g

960-1060g

1010g

Sweat & Respiration

On ISS: ~3.6 kg per person per day

me when i hear life support:

900

(300-1500)

5000W

18 min

Nö, B ist active/passive rod heating

Thermal-based Method:

• Pyrolysis

• Incineration

• Plasma-assisted Processing

Biological Method:

• Anaerobic digestion

• Aerobic composting

• Bioreactor

• Insects

Regolith Beneficiation and Utilization

Water Extraction, Capturing and Purification

System Analysis and Feasibility Studies of ISRU System

1. Crucible is filled through the filling tube with icy regolith (simulant)

2. Crucible is heated up, water vapor rises into the cold trap

3. Slider is opened, cold trap heated -> ice drops into Liquefaction

4. Repeat until liquefaction is full

5. Heat liquefaction -> liquid water flows into storage tank

6. Repeat until storage tank is full

32% O2

ISS (left) vs Tjangong (right)

lunar regolith:

Martian regolith:

alternatives

• Basalt-type rock

• Rocks:

  • Plagioclase Feldspar

  • Pyroxene

  • Olivine

  • Ilmenite

  • Volcanic glass

  • Agglutinitic glass

• Elements:

  • Oxygen (40-45%)

  • Silicon (20-25%)

  • Iron (12%)

  • Calcium (8%)

  • Aluminium (7%)

  • Magnesium (5%)

  • …

plants like it wet (like your mom ;) )

95%

(91-99)

• High Harvest Index

• High nutriotional value (calories and nutrion coverage(like vitamins/protiens and stuff))

• fast growth

• transpiration

• psychological value

• oxygen production/gas exchange

• 
  

plants produce more oxygen and absorb more co2 than a human produces/consumes

dashed lines: o2/oxygen consumption/production

—> we dont make the entire diet based on plants:

to be honest ich versteh das ganze auch nicht so ganz, keine ahnung was diese tabelle bedeutet, ich hab mein bestes gegeben bei der interpretation aber kein plan, anyways hier ist ne ratte im weltraum :)

29 years (26-32)

water

51.7 to 103 kPa

18.6 to 23.4 kPa

0 to 0.67 kPa

(CO2 is always bad, the less, the better)

2000 to 3000 calories per day

6.4 kg

• Air evaporation system: wicks saturated with wastewater, blow air across

• Reverse Osmosis: shit hits the membrane and is rejected by electrostatic repulsion

• Thermoelectric Integrated Membrane Evaporation System: Pervaporation across a membrane

• Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Removal: integrates vacuum distillation and high-temperature catalytic oxidation into a single process step; designed for long-duration missions

• Aqueous Phase Catalytic Oxidation Subsystem: removes organic impurities and disinfects water

around 2kg/CM/d

Most important:

• Carbon CO2, HCO3(-)

• Oxygen H2O, O2

• Hydrogen H2O

• Nitrogen NO3(-), NH4(+)

• Potassium K(+)

• Phosphorus H2PO4(-), HPO4(2-), PO4(3-)

Also important:

• Calcium Ca(2+)

• Magnesium Mg(2+)

• Sulfid SO4(2-)

Less important:

• Copper

• Zinc

• Manganese

• Boron

• Molybdenum

• Iron

• Chlorine

Fresh Basis Water Content [%] = (Fresh Basis)/(Dry Basis + Fresh Basis)

Harvest Index [%] = (Edible Biomass)/(Total Biomass)

Exploration Life Support Crops

Selected crops being researched for biological life support systems on future Mars or Moon base missions.

• functionality and feasibility of the hybrid system in a real environment

• the short- and long-term performance of photosynthetic conversion of concentrated CO2 into biomass and O2

• stability of the algae system in a real environment

• Vostok 1 First flight: 12th April 1961 (Yuri Gagarin)

• Sputnik-2: 3 November 1957 orbits with

  dog Laika on board

• Mercury First flight: 5th May 1961 (Alan Shepard)

• 20.07.1969 Apollo 11

• Salyut

• Skylab

• Mir

• Tiangong 1;2

  
  

• Dragon capsule

• Orion

• Shenzhou

• Soyuz

• Starlab

• Vast Haven 1

• Sierra Space Orbital Reef

• Axium Station