Reliability of life support systems depending on the degree of their biologisation

Center for Industrial Implementation of Applied Developments, BIOCENTER – SAS Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow region, 142290 Russia

^* Corresponding author: furex@yandex.ru

Abstract

Long-range and long-duration autonomous missions of manned transport systems have different objectives depending on the environment. They can be tasks of studying and mastering the depths of the world ocean, Arctic and Antarctic multi-purpose missions, etc. The most complicated of such missions may be manned flights to planets with the purpose of their exploration during long stays. Reliable technologies of life support systems (LSS) of autonomous transport systems (ATS) mastered in space missions can be fully or fragmentarily used in missions of other habitats. The reliability of any long-term manned missions depends on the degree of LSS autonomy, the level of its biologisation, and the efficiency of integrated closed biotechnological cycles. With the help of unmanned interplanetary vehicles, the presence of water reserves on Mars has been proved, the Mars atmosphere has been studied, and methane, the origin of which is yet to be discovered, has been discovered, all of which will undoubtedly contribute to the exploration of the planet. This indicates the possibility of organising human life on Mars and contributes to the preparation of a manned mission with the mission of thorough exploration of the planet. Biotechnology has long ago mastered in Earth conditions biosynthesis of animal microbial protein on the basis of methane, water, and air. If the LSS ATS of the Martian manned mission includes closed biotechnological cycles with the participation of these substances, they will make it possible to provide food for the ATS crew not only at the stage of a long flight to Mars, but also on its surface at the initial stage of colonisation, including the use of planetary resources. The purpose of this paper is to analyse and identify ways to improve the reliability of ATS during long-duration and extended manned missions when there is no possibility of resupply in the LSS.