Experience with reclaimed and recycled life support testbeds is necessary to identify problems unique to this new class of spacecraft systems. Current research and engineering testbeds necessary for advanced Space Station Freedom, moonbase, interplanetary travel and Mars/Phobos mission and base are large, complex, costly and rare.
We report a small, simple, flexible and affordable experimental research and engineering testbed for biologically contaminated or enhanced physical chemical and biological water/air reclamation and recycling systems.
Experience with this and similar testbeds is necessary to understand and rationally develop safe, stable, deployable, larger biological reclamation/recycle life support systems for terrestrial and extraterrestrial uses.