One of the challenges facing manned missions in outer space, such as those
planned by NASA for the Moon and Mars, is the supply of food and oxygen
production for subsistence. Researchers are developing, with the assistance
of the Israeli Space Agency in the Ministry of Science, an unique system
that will provide oxygen, food and water for staff to use in manned remote
space stations. At the same time, the system will be used to recycle carbon
dioxide (CO2) and human waste, in a resource-limited environment.
The research will be carried out jointly by four research groups and each
has a complementary specialization from a different field, all of which are
necessary for the success of the project. This is based on the understanding
that only synergistic and multidisciplinary research will lead to innovative
and practical solutions.
The first group is that of Dr. Yaron Yehoshua from the Algae Biotechnology
Center at Bar-Ilan University. Specializing in microbiotic biotechnology and
biological research in automated growth systems. The second group is the
research group of Dr. Ashraf al-Ashhav from Desert and Dead Sea R&D,
which specializes in molecular biology of organisms in extreme living
environments. The third group is by Prof. Yitzhak Mastai from the Department
of Chemistry at Bar-Ilan University, who specializes in materials chemistry.
The project examines the effects of space fuel and metallic surfaces on
algae growth. The fourth is by Dr. Itzik Sapir of Afeka College, which
specializes in technological developments in the field of engineering. The
multidisciplinary and multi-researcher project is centered by Dr. Igor Darji
of VITS Energy Ltd.
According to the researchers, they will first test and implement a treatment
for a particularly toxic fuel – hydrazine, and later will switch to
additional missile fuels for testing. Here, for the first time, different
species of algae, organisms and different extremophiles will be examined and
their suitability for the task according to different parameters such as
survival, growth rate, oxygen production capacity and biomass production
rate.
RNA & DNA analyzes of the most promising cultures will be performed to
find optimal symbiosis between algae and bacteria. In addition, the system
will include a variety of components and technologies, the development of
which will begin here for the first time.
Support for Space Colonies
Dr. Yaron Yehoshua, from the Biotechnology Center for Algae at the Faculty
of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, said: “A new commercial space is
currently looking for solutions to support distant space colonies, to enable
life and work on the moon and other places. In addition, the results of our
research also have a practical capability on Earth, thus making it dual-use,
not just space. The study examines the effects of space fuel and the
titanium from which the fuel tanks are made on algae and bacteria. “In this
process, spacecraft and missile fuel tanks, after being emptied, become part
of life-support systems that can supply oxygen, and later food and
medicine.”
Dr. Yehoshua’s research partner is Dr. Yael Kinel-Tahan. “Just as algae
formed the basis for the evolution of life on Earth,” explains Kinel-Tahan,
“so they can serve as a basis for creating a suitable ecological environment
for humanity in distant space colonies. Their growth rate is very fast, they
produce oxygen, carbon dioxide regulators, some Suitable as food for a
person. ”
Dr. Ashraf al-Ashab, from the R&D Desert and the Dead Sea, added that
“the State of Israel has very rare natural resources such as the Dead Sea.
We should preserve this environment so that we can continue to explore and
not lose the existing one. Extromephilic bacteria from the Dead Sea here in
Israel, Can solve biotechnological challenges in space colonies and on
Earth. In specific desert and Dead Sea conditions, there is a fascinating
extreme biology. “
As an environmental microbiology researcher, Dr. Al Ashabh came with past
experience with a variety of soil bacteria. In the first ecological study
conducted by Dr. Ashraf in R&D, he was surprised to find that about 40%
of the bacterial population is not known in the literature or existing
databases. Embodies great potential for many biotechnological uses, some
initial scans showing innovative and unique metabolic activity for use in
agriculture (pest control, for example), etc. These bacteria showed
tremendous potential for use, along with algae, for advanced technological
solutions to human and human challenges.
Dr. Al Ashab’s group is partnered with Dr. Reut Sork Abramovich, an
astrobiologist from the Desert and Dead Sea R&D who promotes a variety
of space issues, the chairman of the Israeli Mars Association, the director
of an education program for high school students in space issues, and one of
the founders of the Dimars Association. Space simulations in Ramon Crater,
in collaboration with the Israel Space Agency.
The research is funded by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology
and the Israel Space Agency. Following the study, the Israeli Forum for
Living in Distant Space Colonies was established.
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Space & Astrophysics