MELiSSA: External laboratory pilot-plant
This activity was approved by the Aurora Board of Participants within the Work Plan 2005-2006 and should be initiated by the end of 2005. The objective of the MELISSA activity is to define and develop a highly regenerative Life Support System based on microorganism and higher plants, for usage on missions beyond low Earth orbit, which aims it at Aurora manned missions.
In 1995, following the signature of UAB as a new MELISSA partner (Memorandum of Understanding - MoU), the MELISSA pilot plant was created and inaugurated in Barcelona, Spain. This MoU, updated in January 2002, constitutes the focus for the MELISSA system-level developments, including the development of the MELISSA pilot plant.
The MELISSA ESA external laboratory provides the investigation, engineering and development environment needed for establishing and demonstrating Life Support activities including:
- ECLS feasibility studies
- ECLS design, analysis and verification
- Validation on ground of pre-flight and flight hardware
For this phase, the technical work shall mostly cover:
- Integration of additional compartments (mainly compartment C1 ‘liquefying compartment’ and C2 ‘phototrophic anoxygenic compartment’)
- Development of equipment for improving existing compartments (mainly C3 ‘Nitrifying compartment’) and extending the pilot plant
- Upgrading of the laboratory leading to the removal to larger facilities
- Basic operating costs related to all these activities
| Start |
Expected or actual duration | Status | Prime contractor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. '05 | 18 months | Ongoing | UAB |