Review
Microbiology
Jana Fahrion, Felice Mastroleo, Claude-Gilles Dussap, Natalie Leys
Summary: This review focuses on microbial photosynthetic bioprocess and photobioreactors in space for air, water, and food supply challenges. Past space experiments and groundwork over the last 30 years have contributed to bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) projects. However, transferring successful ground experiments to space environments remains a challenge.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Tom Verbeelen, Natalie Leys, Ramon Ganigue, Felice Mastroleo
Summary: Efficient recovery of nutrients from waste streams is crucial for long-distance space travel, and bioregenerative life support systems (BLSSs) are being developed as alternative strategies to achieve self-sufficiency in producing water, oxygen, and food in space. The European Space Agency's Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA) is one such initiative designed to sustain long-term space exploration missions by recycling water, producing fresh food, and oxygen. The shift towards BLSS represents a paradigm shift from the current physicochemical-based environmental control and life support systems used on the International Space Station.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Leone Ermes Romano, Giovanna Aronne
Summary: The study found that duckweed is the best candidate for plant species in space bioregenerative life support systems. However, further research and resolution of critical issues are needed before adopting duckweed species for space missions.
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Daniil V. Sukhinov, Pavel M. Gotovtsev, Yana E. Sergeeva
Summary: This review discusses the progress and challenges in the development of bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) for crewed spacecrafts. It highlights the potential of phototrophic microorganisms in creating self-sustaining carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen cycles, which can reduce the need for external resources and lower the overall cost of manned space missions. However, further research is needed to address the long-term cultivation of microorganisms under stress factors such as cosmic radiation, microgravity, low atmospheric pressure, and high CO2 concentrations.
Article
Biology
Philip J. L. Bell, Ferdinand E. Paras, Sophia Mandarakas, Psyche Arcenal, Sinead Robinson-Cast, Anna S. Grobler, Paul Attfield
Summary: This paper proposes a novel electro-microbial route for food production in space, which uncouples food production from photosynthesis. By fixing carbon dioxide into ethanol and using it as a carbon source for yeast to synthesize food, this process could potentially provide nutritious food without the need to grow plant-based crops. Apart from its potential in space, this approach also has valuable applications on Earth, such as enabling food production in challenging environments and utilizing surplus electricity from renewable sources to supplement the human food chain.
Review
Plant Sciences
Chou Khai Soong Karlson, Siti Nurfadhlina Mohd-Noor, Nadja Nolte, Boon Chin Tan
Summary: RNA-guided genomic transcriptional regulation tools, CRISPRi and CRISPRa, derived from the CRISPR/Cas9 system, utilize a catalytically dead Cas9 to achieve transcriptional interference. Despite its potential benefits, challenges and limitations such as off-target effects, PAM sequence requirements, and labeling as genetically modified organisms are faced by the CRISPR/dCas9 system.
Article
Plant Sciences
Antonio G. Caporale, Mariana Amato, Luigi G. Duri, Rocco Bochicchio, Stefania De Pascale, Giuseppe Di Rauso Simeone, Mario Palladino, Antonio Pannico, Maria A. Rao, Youssef Rouphael, Paola Adamo
Summary: Space research is focusing on the development of bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) to produce food crops based on in situ resource utilization (ISRU). This study tested different substrates mixed with horse/swine monogastric manure to evaluate their effects on plant growth. The results showed that substrates containing Mars simulant performed better than Lunar simulant in terms of agronomic performance and nutrient availability. The addition of monogastric manure improved plant biomass and nutrient uptake. The optimal mixture ratio of simulant and manure for plant growth was determined to be 70:30. This research provides valuable insights for developing sustainable BLSS for future space missions.
Review
Biology
Alex Ellery
Summary: This review explores technologies for supporting human activities on the Moon and Mars, with a focus on life support systems technology. It emphasizes the importance of developing closed ecological life support systems that recycle other rare elements on the Moon, and also considers the potential application of bioregenerative medical technologies and approaches to industrial activity on the Moon.
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Malarvizhi Sathasivam, Ravikumar Hosamani, Basavalingayya K. Swamy, Sreejalekshmi G. Kumaran
Summary: Plant biology experiments in real and simulated microgravity have greatly enhanced our understanding of plant physiology and behavior, leading to successful cultivation of crops in space. Using plants as part of a sustainable bio-regenerative life support system is crucial for long-duration space exploration missions. Reflecting and reviewing plant biology research findings in microgravity is essential to fill critical research gaps and utilize new data effectively.
LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Antonio Giandonato Caporale, Roberta Paradiso, Greta Liuzzi, Mario Palladino, Chiara Amitrano, Carmen Arena, Nafiou Arouna, Mariavittoria Verrillo, Vincenza Cozzolino, Stefania De Pascale, Paola Adamo
Summary: This study evaluated the adaptability of potato to different substrates and found that Mars regolith simulant is poor in nutrients and unsuitable for potato growth. However, the addition of organic compost can improve soil physiochemical properties and plant performance.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Morgan A. Irons, Lee G. Irons
Summary: This perspective paper highlights the lack of methods or data to measure sustainability claims for bioregenerative life support system designs and proposes a method for quantifying sustainability. It discusses the importance of sustainability as a criterion for deep space exploration and reviews a Generalized Resilient Design Framework for quantifying engineered resilience. The paper also outlines a Terraform Sustainability Assessment Framework for normalizing quantified sustainability properties using the Earth model.
FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jianping Zhang, Keren Xue, Qing Zhou, Jian Fu, Zhiwei Zhang, Haibo Wang, Jun Hu, Zibing Qu
Summary: This article introduces a life testing method for plant lighting LED luminaires, and provides technical reference for improving their performance through data processing and life prediction.
Article
Plant Sciences
Veronica De Micco, Sara De Francesco, Chiara Amitrano, Carmen Arena
Summary: This study examined the effect of high-LET ionizing radiation on seed germination and seedling development in eye bean plants, finding that the response of these plants to radiation is dose-specific and dependent on the type of ion. The information obtained from this study can be useful for evaluating the radio-resistance of eye bean seedlings in space environments.
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Volker Maiwald, Kim Kyunghwan, Vincent Vrakking, Conrad Zeidler
Summary: The Moon has regained attention in human space exploration, with programs such as NASA's Artemis, ESA's Moon Village, and the Russian/Chinese International Lunar Research Station. The goal for these missions is long-term presence and habitation on the lunar surface, requiring affordable resource management through recycling and in-situ utilization. The development of bio-regenerative life support systems is crucial, but more research is needed in areas such as plant biology and closed environment microbiomes. The feasibility and usefulness of a lunar analogue greenhouse in closing these research gaps is discussed. Overall rating: 7/10.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Andrew C. Schuerger
Summary: Human missions to the Moon and Mars in the coming decades will require advanced bioregenerative life support systems to reduce the need for frequent resupply missions. Integrated pest management programs will also be necessary to prevent insect pests and disease outbreaks in space-based plant-growing systems, ensuring the stability and productivity of habitats. Successful operation of these systems will depend on early establishment of dynamic IPM protocols tailored to the unique stresses of the space environment.
FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCES
(2021)
