Model and Design of a Fully-Integrated Bioregenerative Life Support System (FI-BLSS) Using Scalable Interactive Model of an Off-World Community (SIMOC)

Abstract

The focus of human spaceflight is shifting from near Earth operations to making humanity a multi-planetary species. Bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) capitalize on biological processes to provide food, water, and oxygen for the crew, manage wastes, and minimize reliance on consumables from Earth. BLSS that integrate multiple types of organisms into one interconnected system such as BIOS, MELiSSA, and the Lunar PALACE have seen some success but do not take full advantage of other types of organisms. To further BLSS design, a novel agent-based modeling program (Scalable Interactive Model of an Off-world Community, SIMOC) was enhanced for one of its first research applications and used to develop models of Fully-Integrated Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (FI-BLSS). Two novel agents representing mushroom and algae cultures were developed and programmed in SIMOC. These two agents were informed using experimental data collected on a Pleurotus ostreatus culture and an Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis culture respectively. Three FI-BLSS models were developed showing that: (1) the oxygen concentration in a habitat with a crew of 4 could be maintained between 19.5% and 20% for 500 days; (2) the food requirements of a crew of 4 can be met by a FI-BLSS for 425 days after an initial 75 day growing period; and (3) incorporating a FI-BLSS within the habitat volume of the Space Analog for Moon and Mars (SAM) can reduce the use of physicochemical life support systems and injected oxygen usage by 21.3% . Limitations were noted with the data and modeling process, and comparing similar models shows the benefit of including algae and mushrooms as part of a FI-BLSS. Future enhancements can be made to SIMOC to further advance its research and educational capability. This would empower the use of SIMOC to design a FI-BLSS for construction within a sealed facility such as SAM and long duration human spaceflight missions.