5. Space Living

Introduction

As humanity prepares for long-term exploration and habitation beyond Earth, creating sustainable life support systems becomes crucial. The Space Living project invites students to develop practical and innovative solutions for next-generation life support systems designed for long-term human living in space. The focus will be on solving critical challenges such as growing food, recycling water, energy production, managing the living environment, and managing waste effectively, using multidisciplinary approaches. The goal is to enable a self-sustaining ecosystem in space that ensures the well-being of astronauts for extended missions, whether on space stations, the Moon, or Mars.

Task

Your team is tasked with designing an advanced life support system for long-term human habitation in space. The system must incorporate sustainable technologies for food production, water recycling, energy production, and waste management. The proposed solutions should be scalable, adaptable for various space environments, and energy-efficient. Your final proposal should detail how these systems will be integrated into future space missions and address the challenges of space resource constraints, weight limitations, and operational sustainability. Additionally, explore the potential Earth-based applications of your technologies, considering how they can contribute to addressing sustainability challenges on Earth.

Considerations

1. Technology
Your life support system should be innovative and capable of addressing key space challenges like food production, water recycling, energy generation, and waste management. Consider using cutting-edge technologies such as hydroponics, aeroponics, bioreactors, or advanced resource recovery systems. The design should also be energy-efficient, modular, and scalable to accommodate future missions.

Questions to consider:

• What advanced methods can you implement for food growth in space, considering limited resources and space constraints?

• How can innovative water recycling technologies provide a closed-loop system for long-duration missions?

• How can waste be effectively managed, recycled, or repurposed, for example, in waste-to-energy systems?

• Are there new materials or technologies that can enhance system efficiency and durability in extreme space environments?

2. Infrastructure
The system must be adaptable to various space habitats such as the International Space Station, lunar bases, or Mars colonies. Consider the challenges posed by space environments, such as limited energy supply, available space, and long-term maintenance requirements. Your design should be modular and easily upgradeable to support evolving mission needs.

Questions to consider:

• How will the system fit within the space, weight, and energy constraints of a space habitat?

• Can the design be modular and adaptable for use in multiple space environments (e.g., space stations, Moon bases)?

• What are the key challenges in transporting, deploying, and maintaining such a system in space?

3. Market Factors
Consider the broader applications of your technologies both in space and on Earth. Space innovations often have potential use on Earth, especially in resource-scarce environments. Explore how your life support systems could contribute to global sustainability and resource management. Identify the potential partnerships required for bringing these innovations to market, whether through space agencies or private enterprises.

Questions to consider:

• What are the terrestrial applications of your design, particularly in areas facing similar sustainability challenges?

• How can these innovations impact sustainability and resource management on Earth?

• What partnerships (e.g., government agencies, private companies) could help develop and commercialise your system?

4. Safety, Security, and Risks
Space environments are inherently risky, and your system must prioritise astronaut safety. The design should ensure reliable access to food, water, energy, and waste management while protecting astronauts from environmental hazards. Consider the potential risks of system failure and develop redundancies to mitigate these risks. All designs must meet or exceed the safety standards of space agencies such as NASA or ESA.

Questions to consider:

• What are the critical risks associated with life support system failures, and how can you mitigate them?

• How will your system meet the safety standards established by space agencies (e.g., NASA, ESA)?

• Can you design redundant or backup systems to ensure continuous operation in case of failure?

5. Project Management Approach
Your project’s success will depend on effective planning and execution. Consider the steps involved in the project cycle for example designing, prototyping, testing and deployment of your system. Address time management, resource allocation, and team collaboration to ensure timely delivery and high-quality results.

Questions to consider:

• What project management methodologies (e.g., Scrum and Sprint, Agile, Waterfall) will you use to ensure effective collaboration and timely completion?

• How will you allocate resources (e.g., time, materials, manpower) efficiently across the project?

• What are the key milestones, and how will you track the project’s progress toward successful completion?

6. Costing and Feasibility
Provide an estimate of the total research, development, and production costs for your life support system. Consider the financial resources needed to transition your design from concept to reality. Explore potential funding sources such as space agency contracts, government subsidies, or private investments. Ensure that the cost-benefit ratio is favourable for both space missions and Earth applications.

Questions to consider:

• What are the estimated research, development, and deployment costs for your life support system?

• How can partnerships with government or private organisations help fund the development of your technology?

• How does your system compare in cost to current life support systems in space?

7. Sustainability, Ethics, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Sustainability is at the core of this project, both for space exploration and for potential Earth applications. Your design must emphasise recycling, reusability, and minimal waste production. Consider how your design can contribute to a circular economy and minimise the environmental impact of space missions. Additionally, explore the ethical implications of space habitation and how your design promotes inclusivity and accessibility.

Questions to consider:

• How can your system maximise resource recycling and reuse to create a sustainable, closed-loop environment?

• Can you ensure that the materials used are either recyclable or sourced from sustainable materials?

• How does your solution support sustainability, ethics, equality, diversity, and inclusion in its design and application for space or Earth-based scenarios?

Further Information

1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, “NASA’s Journey to Mars: Pioneering Next Steps in Space Exploration,” Available: https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/journey-to-mars-next-steps-20151008_508.pdf [Accessed: October 7, 2024].

2. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, “Living in Space,” Available: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/living-in-space/ [Accessed: October 7, 2024].

3. The European Space Agency, “ Living in Space,” Available: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Living_in_space [Accessed: October 7, 2024].

4. The United Nations, “United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.” Available: https://www.globalgoals.org/take-action/  [Accessed: October 7, 2024].

5. Keaney, Daniel, Brigid Lucey, and Karen Finn. "A Review of Environmental Challenges Facing Martian Colonisation and the Potential for Terrestrial Microbes to Transform a Toxic Extraterrestrial Environment." Challenges 15.1 (2024): 5. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/15/1/5 [Accessed: October 7, 2024].