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.