MELiSSA
Encyclopedia
The acronym MELiSSA means 'Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative' and is a development program of a microbiological and horticultural plant based ecosystem
. The system is planned to be used for regenerative life support system
s for long-term space missions to lunar bases or flights to Mars.
The basis of MELiSSA is the treatment, recovery and recycling of edible biomass
, water and oxygen from human waste and carbon dioxide. The scale and advanced stage of technologies that have been developed to overcome the numerous technical challenges is substantial. Many of these solutions directly impact and present solutions to environmental issues on earth. Examples include: optimized water treatment systems, sewage systems, recycling of waste, controlled crop growth, etc.
The MELiSSA Project is managed by the ESA
ESTEC Thermal and Environmental Control Section (TEC-MCT). The project is based on a collaborative development program with nine partners and a number of supporting sub-contractors. The project continues to be funded by ESA, where ESA’s annual contribution to the program has been in excess of €7.0 Million over the past 15 years.
Currently, there are several technologies featured and their applications can be classified into:
• Water Recycling Technology (grey, yellow and black water)
• Waste and Fiber Degradation Technology
• Air Regeneration Technology
• Biological Sensory Technology
The compilation of MELiSSA technologies remains a work in progress. As research and development continues, more technologies will become available also for commercial application.
Generally speaking all MELISSA technologies are considered to be in the cleantech area and can be applied for instance in water treatment plants, urine treatment units, lifestock farms (manure processing) and airplanes.
Technology transfer and valorization activities are in the hands of one of the MELiSSA members IPStar BV.
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
. The system is planned to be used for regenerative life support system
Life support system
In human spaceflight, a life support system is a group of devices that allow a human being to survive in space.US government space agency NASA,and private spaceflight companies...
s for long-term space missions to lunar bases or flights to Mars.
The basis of MELiSSA is the treatment, recovery and recycling of edible biomass
Biomass
Biomass, as a renewable energy source, is biological material from living, or recently living organisms. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly, or converted into other energy products such as biofuel....
, water and oxygen from human waste and carbon dioxide. The scale and advanced stage of technologies that have been developed to overcome the numerous technical challenges is substantial. Many of these solutions directly impact and present solutions to environmental issues on earth. Examples include: optimized water treatment systems, sewage systems, recycling of waste, controlled crop growth, etc.
The MELiSSA Project is managed by the ESA
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
ESTEC Thermal and Environmental Control Section (TEC-MCT). The project is based on a collaborative development program with nine partners and a number of supporting sub-contractors. The project continues to be funded by ESA, where ESA’s annual contribution to the program has been in excess of €7.0 Million over the past 15 years.
Currently, there are several technologies featured and their applications can be classified into:
• Water Recycling Technology (grey, yellow and black water)
• Waste and Fiber Degradation Technology
• Air Regeneration Technology
• Biological Sensory Technology
The compilation of MELiSSA technologies remains a work in progress. As research and development continues, more technologies will become available also for commercial application.
Generally speaking all MELISSA technologies are considered to be in the cleantech area and can be applied for instance in water treatment plants, urine treatment units, lifestock farms (manure processing) and airplanes.
Technology transfer and valorization activities are in the hands of one of the MELiSSA members IPStar BV.