The problem of assuring performance robustness of biological life support systems

Plant bioregenerative life supports: The Italian CAB Project

“…The main objective in CAB is to develop a regenerative system, promoting self-sufficiency and minimizing the need of resources for long-lasting missions , Blackwell 1995, Tamponnet 1996, Samsonov et al 2000, Schreckenghost et al 2002). This will be achieved throughout the maximization of its cycle closure and regeneration using higher plants and other autotrophic organisms (Rygalov 1995, Salisbury & Clark 1995, Volk 1996, Ivanova et al 1998, Bluem & Paris 2001, Ferl et al 2002, Musgrave 2002, Monje et al 2003, Teixeira 2007, the design and setting up of an integrated monitoring and adaptive control system and a better understanding of problems related to buffering of the regenerated resources (Strayer & Atkinson 1997, Ivanova et al 1998, Tamponnet et al 1999, Wheeler 2003.…”

“…These activities have given the possibility to gather information about the human adaptability to life conditions in confined and extreme environments and to perform fundamental experiences for the definition of regenerative technologies, both physico-chemical and biological , Blackwell 1995, Bartsev et al 1996, Tamponnet 1996, Samsonov et al 2000, Schreckenghost et al 2002, Evetts et al 2005, Russell & Klaus 2007. In the meantime, major space agencies have started to plan and develop future human activities in space (Fulget et al 1999, Godia et al 2002, Stuffler et al 2004, Hendrickx et al 2006.…”