BIOREGENERATIVE LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION:
Bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) are artificial ecosystems consisting of many complex symbiotic relationships among higher plants, animals, and microorganisms. As the most advanced life support technology, BLSS can provide a habitation environment similar to Earth’s biosphere for space missions with extended durations, in deep space, and with multiple crews.
These systems consist of artificial ecosystems into which plants and microorganisms that allow oxygen production, carbon dioxide fixation of carbon, water purification, waste recycling, and production of foods. In these systems, photosynthetic organisms would be used as plants and algae that provide biomass for food and oxygen, as well as microorganisms that degrade and recycle waste compounds generated by human activity, as well as unused plant debris in food.
WORKING OF BIOGENERATIVE LIFE SYSTEM:
A bioregenerative life support system (BLSS) is a system designed to support human life in closed environments, such as space stations, by mimicking Earth’s natural ecological processes.
It involves the use of biological processes (plants, algae, bacteria) to regenerate air, water, and food, essentially recycling and reusing resources.
Plants, for example, photosynthesize to produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, while microorganisms and plants purify water. This system aims to create a sustainable, self-sufficient environment by using natural cycles to support life over long periods.
FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOREGENERATIVE LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM:
ADVANTAGES OF BIOREGENERATIVE LIFE SYSTEM:
- Sustainability: BLSS allows for a self-sustaining environment by recycling resources like water, oxygen, and food, reducing dependency on external supplies
- .Reduced Waste: By recycling waste products (carbon dioxide, wastewater), the system minimizes the need for storage and disposal of waste, supporting long-term missions in isolated environments like space.
DISADVANTAGES OF BIOREGENERATIVE LIFE SYSTEM:
- Complexity and Maintenance: Managing the balance of biological components, such as plants, bacteria, and fungi, is complex, requiring constant monitoring and adjustments.
- Limited Scalability: Bioregenerative systems may struggle to scale for larger populations or long-term operations due to challenges in maintaining optimal conditions for all organisms involved.
