Abstract
It was shown in the previous chapters that by means of regenerable physicochemical subsystems in a life support system the water and oxygen loops can be closed. Future space habitats will require that the carbon loop, the third and final part-loop in the life support system, be closed. Since carrying most of the materials required during the mission at launch, or resupplying them, will become prohibitively expensive as both the number of men and the mission durations increase. Especially, bases on Moon or Mars will have to function with a maximum of regeneration because of the high cost for resupplying such distant settlements. Nevertheless, the closure of the carbon loop will only be practical if advanced life support systems can be developed in which metabolic waste products are regenerated and food is produced. If this is partly or completely fulfilled by regenerative processes biological systems are used, a biological life support system (BLSS) is obtained. The simplified principle of such a BLSS is shown in figure Vl.1. Open image in new window Figure VI.1 The Principle of a Biological LSS [29]
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