Stability and reliability of biological reactors

Bioregenerative resource recovery components for Advanced Life Support systems will need to be reliable and stable for long duration space travel. Since 1989, bioregenerative life support research at the ALS Breadboard Project has examined processing of inedible crop residues in bioreactors for recovery of nutrients for replenishment of crop hydroponic solutions. Bioreactor operation has been reliable as demonstrated by continuous operation for up to 418 days with long periods of steady state conditions. Bioreactors have demonstrated stability following unplanned, non-lethal perturbations in pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and inedible residue supply. In each instance, a rapid return to steady state conditions was observed.