OrbHab Paper
Closed Ecological Systems, Space Life Support and Biospherics (2009)
ID: 3 Flag Paper
Title: Closed Ecological Systems, Space Life Support and Biospherics
Authors: Mark Nelson, Nickolay S. Pechurkin, John P. Allen, Lydia A Somova, and Josef I. Gitelson
Journal Name: Handbook of Environmental Engineering, Volume 10: Environmental Biotechnology
Year of Publication: 2009
Page Number: 517
Category: biosphere
Availability: pdf
Detail Page: /papers/3
Web Link: https://ecotechnics.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Handbook-Envt-Engineering-Closed-system-chapter.pdf
BoK Link: [[paper:3]]
Abstract
This chapter explores the development of a new type of scientific tool – manmade closed ecological systems. These systems have had a number of applications within the past 50 years. They are unique tools for investigating fundamental processes and interactions of ecosystems. They also hold the potentiality for creating life support systems for space exploration and habitation outside of Earth’s biosphere. Finally, they are an experimental method of working with small “biospheric systems” to gain insight into the functioning of Earth’s biosphere. The chapter reviews the terminology of the field, the history and current work on closed ecological systems, bioregenerative space life support and biospherics in Japan, Europe, Russia, and the United States where they have been most developed. These projects include the Bios experiments in Russia, the Closed Ecological Experiment Facility in Japan, the Biosphere 2 project in Arizona, the MELiSSA program of the European Space Agency as well as fundamental work in the field by NASA and other space agencies. The challenges of achieving full closure, and of recycling air and water and producing highproduction crops for such systems are discussed, with examples of different approaches being used to solve these problems. The implications for creating sustainable technologies for our Earth’s environment are also illustrated.
Title: Closed Ecological Systems, Space Life Support and Biospherics
Authors: Mark Nelson, Nickolay S. Pechurkin, John P. Allen, Lydia A Somova, and Josef I. Gitelson
Journal Name: Handbook of Environmental Engineering, Volume 10: Environmental Biotechnology
Year of Publication: 2009
Page Number: 517
Category: biosphere
Availability: pdf
Detail Page: /papers/3
Web Link: https://ecotechnics.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Handbook-Envt-Engineering-Closed-system-chapter.pdf
BoK Link: [[paper:3]]
Abstract
This chapter explores the development of a new type of scientific tool – manmade closed ecological systems. These systems have had a number of applications within the past 50 years. They are unique tools for investigating fundamental processes and interactions of ecosystems. They also hold the potentiality for creating life support systems for space exploration and habitation outside of Earth’s biosphere. Finally, they are an experimental method of working with small “biospheric systems” to gain insight into the functioning of Earth’s biosphere. The chapter reviews the terminology of the field, the history and current work on closed ecological systems, bioregenerative space life support and biospherics in Japan, Europe, Russia, and the United States where they have been most developed. These projects include the Bios experiments in Russia, the Closed Ecological Experiment Facility in Japan, the Biosphere 2 project in Arizona, the MELiSSA program of the European Space Agency as well as fundamental work in the field by NASA and other space agencies. The challenges of achieving full closure, and of recycling air and water and producing highproduction crops for such systems are discussed, with examples of different approaches being used to solve these problems. The implications for creating sustainable technologies for our Earth’s environment are also illustrated.