HackingTheUniverse

Life support systems in space involve a range of areas and considerations.

Short term issues:

• Hull protection – compression, extreme temperature control, and extreme radiation protection are usually provided by some kind of hull in either a spacecraft or a larger living habitat structure
• Short term breathable oxygen supply – a tank of air and a delivery mechanism
• Short term drinkable water supply – a flask of water
• Short term food supply – food rations in a form easy to preserve and use
• Emergency medical supplies – first aid kit

Long term issues:

• Long term recyling, re-generation and storage of
  • air – oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange and storage
  • water – wastewater recovery and treatment, atmosphere humidity exchange
  • food – direct synthesis from raw materials, food processing and algae production
• Energy supply, re-generation and storage
• Atmosphere control of temperature and humidity
• Overall health, nutrition and exercise

Life Support Systems in Space – [nova.org]

Plants are essential companion lifeforms for long-term space missions, where Human habitats must mimic the cycles of life on Earth to generate and recycle food, oxygen, and water.

Biospherics – [biospherics.org]

The Biosphere 2 Project. The project is designed for three purposes: research, education, and the development of environmental technologies for use on Earth and in outer space. Biosphere 2 is a new type of laboratory which combines state-of-the-art architecture and mechanical and computer monitoring systems with a wide range of living ecosystems. It is an experimental project where everything that happens—both expected and unexpected—provides valuable insights into our complex and evolving world.