CAB: the bioregenerative life support system. A feasibility study on the survivability of humans in a long-duration space missions

The Bioregenerative Life Support program CAB (Controllo Ambientale Biorigenerativo) is a feasibility study of a controlled biological system, allowing the regeneration of resources and the production of food for life support in long duration missions. In an operational CAB system, higher plants are basic elements for food production, air regeneration (production of O2, removal of CO2, trace gas control), water regeneration (urine processing, gray water processing, potable water management), solid waste processing, resources allocation and storage and control of environmental conditions (thermal-hygrometric, light, pressure, radiation, etc). The overall CAB objective is to define and prepare the technological, scientific and demonstration elements needed to setup a controlled biological system. Analytical methods and tools shall be developed for the regenerative system.