Publication Date

3-17-2023

Journal

Life

DOI

10.3390/life13030816

PMID

36983971

PMCID

PMC10057978

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

3-17-2023

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

: life support, atmospheric revitalization, in situ resource utilization, space exploration, microalgae, spirulina, BLSS, ISRU, cyanobacteria, methane

Abstract

Exploring austere environments required a reimagining of resource acquisition and utilization. Cyanobacterial in situ resources utilization (ISRU) and biological life support system (BLSS) bioreactors have been proposed to allow crewed space missions to extend beyond the temporal boundaries that current vehicle mass capacities allow. Many cyanobacteria and other microscopic organisms evolved during a period of Earth's history that was marked by very harsh conditions, requiring robust biochemical systems to ensure survival. Some species work wonderfully in a bioweathering capacity (siderophilic), and others are widely used for their nutritional power (non-siderophilic). Playing to each of their strengths and having them grow and feed off of each other is the basis for the proposed idea for a series of three bioreactors, starting from regolith processing and proceeding to nutritional products, gaseous liberation, and biofuel production. In this paper, we discuss what that three reactor system will look like, with the main emphasis on the nutritional stage.

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