INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology Microalgae enhancing closed loop life support systems for humans in space Stefan Belz Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart, Germany ISLSWG Workshop “Bioregenerative Life Support” Session 4: Biological elements of Bioregenerative Life Support Systems Turin,19 May 2015

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology 2 Human Space Exploration & Life Support Systems  Enabling long-term stay in space without resupply (> 1 year)  Provide resources and dispose waste  mass and energy efficient  reliable and sustainable  closing loops (O 2, C, H 2 O)  Develop and improve technologies for the life support system (LSS)

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology What is the benefit of microalgae ? C. vulgaris

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology 4 A "Symbiotic" Relationship O kg/d H 2 O pot 3.55 kg/d Food 0.64 kg/d H 2 O hyg 6-30 kg/d CO kg/d H 2 O out 3.46 kg/d Feces 0.12 kg/d H 2 O waste 6-30 kg/d Break-even time for PBR integration: 0.8 years

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology Why microalgae ? A comparison to higher plants  5-10x higher biomass productivity  high harvest index (> 90%)  lower water demand  only inorganic substrates (no organic)  (white) light exploitation by 10-18% (higher plants < 1%)  no aero-/hydroponics, just an “aquarium” (water tightness!)

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology 6 Photobioreactor System Development  Intention: From the Lab into Space  Key Challenges  What do we need? (biology driven) –Stability/performance –Photosynthesis activity  How do we realize it? (technology driven) –(long-term) cultivation technique –Feeding & harvesting –Gas exchange/ transfer –Liquid handling T, nutrients demand, light, pH, genetic evol.. … Energy, illumination, materials, …

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology IRS activities on photobioreactor system research & development Supported by DLR space agency no. 50JR0805 & 50JR1104

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology Microalgae / Chlorella – Cultivation  Chlorella vulgaris – culture harvesting

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology Microalgae / Scenedesmus – Cultivation  Scendesmus obliquus – culture

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology 10 Photobioreactor System Development  Fluid mechanics (PBR geometry, Flashing Light Effect, buoyancy)

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology  Process engineering for a closed liquid loop (gas/ liquid handling, sensors, actuators,….) Photobioreactor System Development

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology 12 Algae for nutrition CC. vulgaris can cover 25-35% of human diet RRegulation/ safety aspects?

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology Future Activities  Microalgae: a promising candidate for combining physico- chemical and biological LSS for reduction of upload mass  CO 2 conversion into O 2  Food production in space  Biological research  Stability of culture  Performance of algae  Engineering research  Efficient cultivation techniques  Process engineering, automation  Gas/ liquid handling (fluid mechanics, thermodynamics)  Biol. experiments in space  Generic subsystem development for µ- and partial-g  Food safety/ regulations Identify your requirements and constraints; PBR system: affordable & achievable

INSTITUTE OF SPACE SYSTEMS Dep. of Space Transport Technology Thank you for your attention ISLSWG Workshop “Bioregenerative Life Support” Session 4: Biological elements of Bioregenerative Life Support Systems Contact: Dr. Stefan Belz University of Stuttgart Institute of Space Systems Pfaffenwaldring 29 D Stuttgart Phone: from left to right: Emil Nathanson, Gisela Detrell, Harald Helisch, Shahrouz Mardaneh, Jens Bretschneider, Stefan Belz Supported by DLR space agency under 50JR0805 & 50JR1104