Abstract

Long-duration space missions require the design of an advanced life support system (ALSS). Four interacting subsystems have been identified within an ALSS: Crew, Biomass Production, Food Processing and Nutrition (FPN) and Waste Processing and Resource Recovery. The main function of a FPN subsystem is to prepare palatable dishes based on pre-determined menu cycles, by using available food ingredients, in order to satisfy the daily crew nutrient requirements. The FPN subsystem will impact the other subsystems in an ALSS while carrying out the necessary food processing activities. An effort has been made to develop a top-level model of a FPN subsystem to evaluate the feasibility of potential ALSS designs. The FPN model was designed to make use of existing nutritional data, menu cycles, and related food processing information to study the effectiveness of the FPN subsystem within an overall ALSS model. The main performance indicators for a FPN subsystem are the required mass and volume, the amount of ingredient usage, crew time requirements, waste generation, energy consumption, and heat generation from food processing. The developed model is useful for studying “what-if” types of scenarios. The developed FPN model was implemented using the JAVA object-oriented programming platform. Therefore, the model can be executed via the Internet to encourage broad usage.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.