Microbial ecology of the closed artificial ecosystem MELiSSA (Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative): Reinventing and compartmentalizing the Earth's food and oxygen regeneration system for long-haul space exploration missions
Hendrickx, Larissa; De Wever, Heleen; Hermans, Veroniket al.
bioregenerative life support; MELiSSA; microbial ecology; Life Support System; space exploration
Abstract :
[en] MELiSSA is a bioregenerative life support system designed by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the complete recycling of gas, liquid and solid wastes during long distance space exploration. The system uses the combined activity of different living organisms: microbial cultures in bioreactors, a plant compartment and a human crew. In this minireview, the development of a short-cut ecological system for the biotransformation of organic waste is discussed from a microorganism's perspective. The artificial ecological model—still in full development—that is inspired by Earth's own geomicrobiological ecosystem serves as an ideal study object on microbial ecology and will become an indispensable travel companion in manned space exploration.
Research center :
CIP - Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines - ULiège
Disciplines :
Microbiology
Author, co-author :
Hendrickx, Larissa
De Wever, Heleen
Hermans, Veronik
Mastroleo, Felice
Morin, Nicolas ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Centre d'ingénierie des protéines
Wilmotte, Annick ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences de la vie > Physiologie et génétique bactériennes
Janssen, Paul
Mergeay, Max ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département Argenco : Secteur GeMMe > Génie minéral et recyclage
Language :
English
Title :
Microbial ecology of the closed artificial ecosystem MELiSSA (Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative): Reinventing and compartmentalizing the Earth's food and oxygen regeneration system for long-haul space exploration missions
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