The Concept of an Ecotechnical System and Its Application to the Synthesis of the Structure of Integrated Life Support System

This paper describes the concept of Ecotechnical System (ETS) based on the analysis of mass, power and data flow exchange within a biocenosis and between a biocenosis and technical systems that support life and activity of any biological entity in isolated environment of space vehicle. A biocenosis is considered to be a gathering of live organisms (generally people, animals, plants and micro-organisms) in an artificial habitat of the isolated environment.

An Ecotechnical System is defined and it is shown that the given concept brings together different life support systems based on physical-chemical and biological means of regeneration of crew metabolic products.

The existing limitations to the ETS development are reviewed in the paper in respect to limited volumes of space vehicles based on the vehicle characteristics and particular space program tasks.

Three step analysis approach proposed for ETS effectiveness evaluation. An Effectiveness model is proposed for each stage using exergy as a mean for accounting for system benefit. This model is intended to support preliminary, intermediate and final stages of integrated system design. The model includes the quantitative and qualitative effectiveness metrics that describe properties of biocenoses as well as technical apparatus.