Bio-ISRU Process for Space Biomass Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bio-ISRU technologies for producing food in space missions, such as those described in WO2013014606, are not self-sustaining and require external inputs, struggling to achieve 20% of food requirements through waste recycling, and lack efficiency in producing protein-rich edible biomass under extra-terrestrial conditions.
Innovation Solution
A bio-ISRU process and apparatus that simulates extra-terrestrial conditions on Earth using a 3D clinostat or random positioning machine to cultivate microorganisms, combining a regolith leachate with diluted astronaut urine and essential micronutrients, and a photobioreactor to produce higher biomass productivity under microgravity and CO2-rich conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current bio-ISRU technologies are used to produce food in space missions, then food production is achieved, but the system is not self-sustaining and requires external inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The system recycles astronaut urine and CO2 from the crew cabin to produce edible biomass and oxygen, making the system self-sustaining without requiring external inputs of water, food, or oxygen during the mission
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers valuable resources (water, nitrogen, oxygen) from waste streams (urine, CO2 breath) and converts them into useful products (edible biomass, breathable oxygen), transforming waste into resources
2Productivity
If waste recycling is used to produce food, then resource efficiency is improved, but only 20% of food requirements can be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the growth parameters of microorganisms by controlling pH, temperature, and nutrient composition in the urine-based medium to maximize biomass production and nutritional value, achieving over 20% of food requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The same urine recycling system serves multiple functions: producing edible biomass for food, generating oxygen for breathing, and removing waste from the crew cabin, maximizing resource utilization
3Ease of manufacture
If microorganisms are cultivated under extra-terrestrial conditions, then in-situ resource utilization is achieved, but biomass productivity is reduced compared to Earth conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares and optimizes the urine-based growth medium and microorganism strains on Earth before the mission, selecting and pre-culturing strains that are specifically adapted to thrive in urine-based media and microgravity conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts physical and chemical parameters including pH control, temperature regulation, and nutrient supplementation to create optimal growth conditions that compensate for the non-ideal extra-terrestrial environment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process significantly enhances biomass productivity and oxygen production, making it feasible to sustain long-term manned missions by utilizing in-situ resources, outperforming existing methods and allowing for self-sufficiency in food and oxygen production.
Implementation Method 1
an apparatus for simulating on earth the cellular growth under the extra-terrestrial conditions on a pre-determined extra-terrestrial location
Implementation Method 2
a photobioreactor to produce higher biomass productivity under microgravity and CO2-rich conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a technology to simulate extraterrestrial conditions for investigating the effect of microgravity and CO2 rich atmosphere on animal and vegetable cells cultivation and a process thereof exploiting extraterrestrial resources for producing edible biomass for the sustainment of manned space missions as well as the kit of materials and apparatus for implementing the same.