MELiSSA

The Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA) is a European Space Agency (ESA) initiative with the aim to develop the technology for a future regenerative life support system for long-term human space missions. Initiated in 1989, the design is inspired by a terrestrial ecosystem. As of 2023, MELiSSA is a consortium made up of 30 organisations across Europe. Life support concept Space missions involving humans require essential resources to sustain life. Approximately 3.56 kg of drinkable water and 26 kg of water for hygiene is needed for each person. The longer and further the missions are, the more difficult and costly it becomes to supply resources. MELiSSA's aim is to ideally create an artificially closed ecosystem to autonomously recycle the wastes to oxygen, water and food with only the input of energy to drive the process. MELiSSA loop