NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The Bioengineering Branch in the Space Biosciences Division at NASA Ames is developing advanced technologies required for future human exploration missions in space.

 

Overview

Human space exploration requires life support systems that sustain the health and well-being of the crew. These systems must serve as functional replacements for the natural life support systems of Earth that regenerate air and water, provide food, and manage waste materials. While the life support needs of relatively short duration missions can typically be met by supplying the basic life support elements (air, water and food) from Earth, this approach is impractical for extended human presence in space, and becomes mission limiting for future Lunar and Mars exploration. These missions require advanced regenerative technologies to increase mission sustainability, improve efficiency and performance, and decrease life-cycle costs.

NASA's Exploration Life Support (ELS) program is charged with developing the advanced technologies and systems that support humans in extended space exploration. The development of these technologies is focused on the need to increase mission self-sufficiency by minimizing mass, power and volume requirements through regeneration of vital resources.