Towards a Biomanufactory on Mars

Berliner, A.J.; Hilzinger, J.M.; Abel, A.J.; McNulty, M.J.; Makrygiorgos, G.; Averesch, N.J.H.; Sen Gupta, S.; Benvenuti, A.; Caddell, D.F.; Cestellos-Blanco, S.; et al. Towards a Biomanufactory on Mars. Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences 2021, 8, doi:10.3389/fspas.2021.711550. Berliner, A.J.; Hilzinger, J.M.; Abel, A.J.; McNulty, M.J.; Makrygiorgos, G.; Averesch, N.J.H.; Sen Gupta, S.; Benvenuti, A.; Caddell, D.F.; Cestellos-Blanco, S.; et al. Towards a Biomanufactory on Mars. Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences 2021, 8, doi:10.3389/fspas.2021.711550.

Abstract

A crewed mission to and from Mars may include an exciting array of enabling biotechnologies that leverage inherent mass, power, and volume advantages over traditional abiotic approaches. In this perspective, we articulate the scientific and engineering goals and constraints, along with example systems, that guide the design of a surface biomanufactory. Extending past arguments for exploiting stand-alone elements of biology, we argue for an integrated biomanufacturing plant replete with modules for microbial \textit{in situ} resource utilization, production, and recycling of food, pharmaceuticals, and biomaterials required for sustaining future intrepid astronauts. We also discuss aspirational technology trends in each of these target areas in the context of human and robotic exploration missions in the coming century.

Keywords

space systems bioengineering; human exploration; mars; in situ resource utilization; life support systems; biomanufacturing

Subject

Engineering, Automotive Engineering

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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