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How would people make air and food for years, and land heavy gear safely?

Research question: How would a crew produce or recycle oxygen, water, and food for years away from resupply, and how would they land heavy equipment safely?

The records show that closed-loop oxygen recovery is a stated target, with recovery of more than 75% of oxygen from carbon dioxide 5, and the flight-proven MOXIE approach of converting H2O and CO2 into O2 is used as the baseline 11. For water and food, the BIOS-3 experiment fully closed the gas and water cycles and supplied up to 80% of crew food needs over 180 days 2, and a 1968 system reached 85% water reuse 8. A crop area of about 57 m² can supply a more varied diet 4, though long-term reactor stability and multi-species co-culture control remain unresolved 9. The facts do not describe how heavy equipment would be landed safely; the only related fact concerns how the standoff distance of the bow shock in supersonic retropropulsion, a deceleration technique, can be scaled 22. The newest fact is from May 2026, about five months before October 2026 1.

Checked 2026-10-21. Only documented and supported facts are used.
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Sources

[1] supported
Biomanufacturing is presented as the technical means to produce nutrients inside a closed-loop ecosystem, while precision nutrition supplies the framework for individualized diets.
"Precision nutrition provides the computational framework for individualized dietary regulation, while biomanufacturing offers the technical means to implement nutrient production within a closed-loop ecosystem."
Precision nutrition and food biomanufacturing for space missions: Toward intelligent and bioregenerative life-support systems. (Food Res Int, 2026 May 1)
[2] supported
In the 180-day BIOS-3 experiment, the system fully closed the gas and water cycles and supplied up to 80% of the crew's food needs.
"Удалось достичь полного замыкания системы по газу и воде, и до 80 % потребностей экипажа в пище."
БИОС-3
[3] supported
The review highlights coupling energy and material flows among astronauts and integrating photosynthetic and heterotrophic bioreactors, with digital twins used to predict and regulate the system.
"The analysis highlights the coupling of energy and material flows among astronauts, the integration of photosynthetic and heterotrophic bioreactors, and the incorporation of digital twins for predictive system regulation."
Precision nutrition and food biomanufacturing for space missions: Toward intelligent and bioregenerative life-support systems. (Food Res Int, 2026 May 1)
[4] documented
A crop growth area of about 57 m² can supply a diet with more variety, using drybean, rice, snap beans, sweet potato, wheat and white potato, once a limit on area per crop is applied.
"Since the variety of crops is a relevant factor for long term food supply, a limit of the maximum growth area per crop was introduced to derive a diet with more variety, which resulted in a minimal area of 57.04 m² using drybean, rice, snap beans, sweet potato, wheat and white potato."
Optimized crop growth area composition for long duration spaceflight. (Life Sci Space Res (Amst), 2021 Aug)
[5] supported
Closed-loop life support for long-duration spaceflight targets recovering more than 75% of oxygen from carbon dioxide.
"with >75% recovery of oxygen from carbon dioxide and reduction in system mass/kg oxygen identified as target improvement metrics."
Integration of Solid Oxide Co-Electrolysis of Steam and CO2 in Future Closed-Loop Life Support Systems (2025)
[6] supported
A dwarf wheat variety with shortened stems, bred by Professor G. M. Lisovsky, was used to minimize inedible biomass and gave yields of 200–300 centners per hectare.
"Все растения — специальных сортов; в частности, использовалась карликовая пшеница с укороченным стеблем, выведенная профессором Г. М. Лисовским, что позволяло минимизировать объём несъедобной биомассы и обеспечивало урожайность в 200—300 ц/га."
БИОС-3
[7] documented
If the macronutrient balance is allowed to deviate, the required crop area drops to 39.88 m², using wheat and white potatoes.
"If a deviation in the macronutrient composition is allowed the required area can be reduced to 39.88 m² of wheat and white potatoes."
Optimized crop growth area composition for long duration spaceflight. (Life Sci Space Res (Amst), 2021 Aug)
[8] supported
In 1968, a three-link system of crew, microalgae and higher plants reached 85% water reuse.
"Был достигнут 85 % уровень повторного использования воды."
БИОС-3
[9] documented
Current closed-loop food production systems still face unresolved challenges in long-term reactor stability, biosafety governance, and control of multi-species co-cultures.
"Despite progress, challenges remain in long-term reactor stability, biosafety governance, and multi-species co-culture control."
Precision nutrition and food biomanufacturing for space missions: Toward intelligent and bioregenerative life-support systems. (Food Res Int, 2026 May 1)
[10] documented
Matching the exact desired macronutrient composition requires about 106.86 m² of crop growth area.
"The minimal area for the exact desired composition of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) was 106.86 m² using chard, lettuce, peanut, bell pepper, snap beans and spinach."
Optimized crop growth area composition for long duration spaceflight. (Life Sci Space Res (Amst), 2021 Aug)
[11] supported
The flight-proven MOXIE technology, which converts H2O and CO2 into H2, CO, and O2, is used as the baseline for this oxygen generation approach.
"Using OxEon’s flight-proven MOXIE technology for converting H2O + CO2 to H2 + CO and O2 as a baseline"
Integration of Solid Oxide Co-Electrolysis of Steam and CO2 in Future Closed-Loop Life Support Systems (2025)
[12] supported
Chlorella algae in the early BIOS-1 system absorbed carbon dioxide and produced oxygen, but could not be used as food.
"Водоросли поглощали углекислый газ и вырабатывали кислород , однако использовать хлореллу в пищу не удалось."
БИОС-3
[13] documented
Relying on soybeans for full nutrient supply, as in NASA's crop selection focus, would need an exceedingly large 164.15 m² of crop area, because soybeans are not the most favorable crop for protein and fat productivity.
"One major result of this analysis is that soybeans are not the most favorable crop with regard to protein and fat productivity and the focus of NASA crop selection for full nutrient supply on soybean results in exceedingly large required crop areas of 164.15 m²."
Optimized crop growth area composition for long duration spaceflight. (Life Sci Space Res (Amst), 2021 Aug)
[14] supported
Chufa grass was grown to produce vegetable oil, while animal-origin foods were supplied as canned goods.
"Чуфа (среднеазиатская трава) выращивалась для производства растительного масла. Продукты животного происхождения применялись в виде консервов."
БИОС-3
[15] documented
Under the modeled assumptions, a plant growth system would take 87.2 years to break even against the ISS life support system, falling to 14.6 years with optimistic LED and urine-nutrient assumptions.
"the break-even time with the ISS ECLSS was calculated to 87.2 years. With more optimistic assumptions for the LED and using urine as nutrient supply this time can be reduced to 14.6 years."
Optimized crop growth area composition for long duration spaceflight. (Life Sci Space Res (Amst), 2021 Aug)
[16] supported
For long-term missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, crews must find a way to eat, such as by cultivating plants or finding other means of survival.
"Still, for long-term space missions to the Moon, Mars, and other distant missions, which are the current research destinations, they must find a way to eat, such as by cultivating plants or finding other means of survival."
Recent developments in space food for exploration missions: A review. (Life Sci Space Res (Amst), 2023 Feb)
[17] supported
In a closed-loop life support system, methane pyrolysis is needed alongside a Sabatier reactor because the hydrogen in the methane must be recovered to complete the loop.
"Methane pyrolysis is an essential element for a closed-loop ECLS system that incorporates a Sabatier system, since this system converts carbon dioxide and hydrogen to methane and water, and the hydrogen value of the methane must be recovered to complete closure."
Methane Pyrolysis Enables Closed-loop Oxygen Recovery - Brassboard Evaluation (2023)
[18] supported
The 1991 paper models a closed oxygen loop life support system that combines an oxygen generator with carbon dioxide reduction, which is one way a crew could recycle oxygen.
"This paper gives a brief overview of the AG, describes the detailed plant model of an oxygen generator/carbon dioxide reduction closed oxygen loop ECLSS, and provides a discussion of the results produced from various oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production load models."
Simplified Model of a Closed Oxygen Loop Life Support System Using the Space Station Application Generator (1991)
[19] documented
For short-term missions, astronauts' food could be brought from Earth.
"For short-term space missions, astronauts' food could be brought from earth."
Recent developments in space food for exploration missions: A review. (Life Sci Space Res (Amst), 2023 Feb)
[20] supported
The Sabatier reactor needs the recovered hydrogen to fully convert the available carbon dioxide, and the leftover carbon has several possible reuses.
"The hydrogen is required by the Sabatier reactor to completely convert the available carbon dioxide, and there are a number of re-use opportunities for the carbon."
Methane Pyrolysis Enables Closed-loop Oxygen Recovery - Brassboard Evaluation (2023)
[21] supported
Researchers are trying to develop food production technologies or systems that need minimal inputs while still producing safe, nutritionally balanced food for long-duration missions.
"Scientists and researchers are attempting to develop novel food production technologies or systems that require minimal inputs while maximizing safe, nutritionally balanced, and delicious food outputs for long-duration space missions that could benefit people on earth."
Recent developments in space food for exploration missions: A review. (Life Sci Space Res (Amst), 2023 Feb)
[22] supported
The standoff distance of the bow shock produced by supersonic retropropulsion, a deceleration technique relevant to spacecraft descent and landing, can be scaled across changes in thrust, mass flow rate, forebody size, gas composition and temperature in the high-thrust, steady flow regime.
"It is revealed that the standoff distance of the bow shock produced by SRP can be scaled to account for changes in thrust, mass flow rate, forebody size, gas composition and temperature within the high-thrust, steady flow regime."
Thermodynamic Scaling of Supersonic Retropropulsion Flowfields (2024)
[23] supported
A full-scale brassboard methane pyrolysis reactor converted methane at 1.45 SLPM with 50-80% conversion and over 95% selectivity to carbon and hydrogen.
"The system converted methane at a 1.45 SLPM scale to carbon and hydrogen with 50-80% conversion and >95% selectivity."
Methane Pyrolysis Enables Closed-loop Oxygen Recovery - Brassboard Evaluation (2023)
[24] supported
The review covers current research on space food, including 3D printing and space farming for long-term missions.
"It also involves current research, including space foods like 3D printing and space farming for a long-term space mission."
Recent developments in space food for exploration missions: A review. (Life Sci Space Res (Amst), 2023 Feb)
[25] supported
Reliable methane conversion in the pyrolysis reactor depended strongly on temperature and substrate design.
"The effects of temperature, and substrate design were important to obtaining reliable conversion."
Methane Pyrolysis Enables Closed-loop Oxygen Recovery - Brassboard Evaluation (2023)
[26] supported
The Bios-3 Siberian experiments were an effort at bioregenerative life support that attempted to purify air and grow food, which bears on producing oxygen and food for a crew.
"Attempts to purify air and grow foo"
Bios-3: Siberian Experiments in Bioregenerative Life Support (1997)
[27] supported
Closed ecological life support technology is most mature for recycling water and oxygen, which are the two resources that are abundant on the Moon.
"indeed, CELSS technology is most mature in recycling water and oxygen, the two resources that are abundant on the Moon."
Supplementing Closed Ecological Life Support Systems with In-Situ Resources on the Moon (2021)
[28] documented
Past manned spaceflights have been supplied either from a prestored stock of substances or by replenishment from Earth's biosphere.
"Material support of all manned space flights so far has been provided from a prestored stock of substances or replenished from the Earth's biosphere."
Man as a component of a closed ecological life support system (1994)
[29] documented
Recycling elements that are scarce on the Moon, such as carbon and nitrogen, is a priority for closed life support systems, along with phosphorus, sulfur and potassium, which may be hard to extract from local resources.
"This places a premium on developing CELSS that recycle other elements that are rarified on the Moon including C and N in particular but also other elements such as P, S and K which might be challenging to extract from local resources."
Supplementing Closed Ecological Life Support Systems with In-Situ Resources on the Moon (2021)
[30] supported
The only known system that can sustain full human life for an unlimited time is Earth's biosphere.
"The only known system to date meeting this requirement is the Earth's biosphere."
Man as a component of a closed ecological life support system (1994)
[31] documented
Lunar in-situ resources have limited value for closed ecological life support systems.
"We observe that the Moon possesses in-situ resources but that these resources are of limited value in closed ecological life support systems (CELSS)"
Supplementing Closed Ecological Life Support Systems with In-Situ Resources on the Moon (2021)
[32] supported
In the Bios-2 experiment, the gas and water cycles were closed successfully, but recycling solid waste was not cost effective because food, mostly meat, was still being brought into the system.
"Closure of the gas and water cycle were successful, but treatment of solid waste did not turn out to be cost effective given that food, mostly in the form of meat products, were still being introduced into the system."
Closed ecological life support systems (2020)
[33] documented
NASA's MOXIE project developed an oxygen production plant based on solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC), which was demonstrated on Mars.
"inwhichanoxygenproductionplantbasedonsolidoxideelectrolysis(SOEC)wasdeveloped,andfinallydemonstratedonMarsin2022and2023."
Mars In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) with Focus on Atmospheric Processing for Near-Term Application—A Historical Review and Appraisal (2024)
[34] supported
Bios-2 plants produced enough oxygen to support a 70 kilogram human.
"sufficient oxygen to support a 70 kilogram human (Gitelson et al. 2003; Gitelson & Lisovsky 2008)."
Closed ecological life support systems (2020)
[35] supported
Researchers at the Institute of Biophysics (Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) designed Bios-3, a biologically based, self-sustained human life support system that regenerates the environment in a small volume.
"Human life-support systems based on biological regeneration of environments in small volumes have been studied at the Institute of Biophysics (Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) over many years. This work has resulted in the design of Bios-3, a biologically-based self-sustained human life support system."
Man as a component of a closed ecological life support system (1994)
[36] supported
In-situ resource utilization harvests materials available on planetary bodies, which greatly reduces dependence on supplies shipped from Earth.
"ISRU harnesses available resources on planetary bodies, significantly reducing reliance on supplies from Earth."
<i>In-Situ</i> Resource Utilization via CO <sub>2</sub> -Brine Electrolysis at 233K for Astronaut Life Support and Chemicals Production on Mars (2025)
[37] supported
Recovering elements from inedible plant biomass was judged more important than recovering them from human solid waste, because the plant biomass is a much larger mass.
"Gitelson et al. (2003) also concluded that the recovery of elements from inedible plant biomass was of greater importance than that from human solid waste, as that would constitute a larger mass."
Closed ecological life support systems (2020)
[38] supported
Producing propellant on Mars is described as the most practical near-term advance in Mars ISRU, with significant demonstrable benefits.
"propellantproductiononMarsoffersthemostpracticalnear-termadvanceinISRUwith significantdemonstrablebenefits"
Mars In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) with Focus on Atmospheric Processing for Near-Term Application—A Historical Review and Appraisal (2024)
[39] supported
Testing of Bios-3 with human crews began in December 1972, in a four-compartment sealed facility with a total volume of 315 cubic metres.
"Testing of Bios-3 including human crews began in December 1972. Bios-3 was made up of four compartments, of equal size and hermetically sealed from each other, with a total volume of 315 cubic metres."
Closed ecological life support systems (2020)
[40] supported
The predominant initial target for ISRU is producing ascent propellants in situ, particularly oxygen.
"Inbothcases,thepredominantinitial target would be to produce ascent propellants in situ, particularly oxygen."
Mars In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) with Focus on Atmospheric Processing for Near-Term Application—A Historical Review and Appraisal (2024)