Precursors to Space Habitats: From Biosphere 2 to the ISS

S. Baxter (2020), JBIS, 73, pp.194-197

Refcode: 2020.73.194
Keywords: BIS SPACE Project, ISS, Avalon, Space habitats, McMurdo Station, Biosphere 2, Stanford Torus, British Antarctic Survey, Halley VI Research Station, ECLSS, Kalpana One

Abstract:
In support of the BIS SPACE Project space habitat design exercise, this paper is a brief survey of relevant practical precursors including the ISS, Antarctic stations and the Biosphere 2 experiment, with reference to some previous theoretical space habitat studies. The main purpose has been the input of relevant data to the wider project. General conclusions drawn here are that the complexity and challenge of the power demands and habitability of space habitats, especially regarding closed-loop life support systems, may have been underestimated in previous design projects.