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Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLiSS)

Last updated: session 51, 2026-04-06

Summary

BLiSS is the long-duration extension of ECLSS: biological systems that recycle waste into resources (water, oxygen, food, fuel) instead of venting or storing it. At ISS scale (30-day missions), physicochemical systems (TRL 9) are adequate. For Artemis X (2035 permanent lunar habitat) and Mars missions (>1,000 days), biological recycling becomes mission-enabling — the mass and logistics equation tips decisively in favor of BLiSS around the 120-day mission threshold.

Core project: Bioregenerative Life Support Systems — 157839, KSC/MCO, TRL 5, 2024–2029, KSC as lead with ARC, JSC, MIT, Texas Tech, USF as partners. Funded by ESDMD Mars Campaign Office.

BLiSS APMBR bioreactor prototype Anaerobic Phototrophic Membrane Bioreactor (APMBR) lab prototype at KSC. Lab cart with process control monitor, peristaltic pumps, fluid reservoirs — active research hardware.

Four-Stage Habitat Evolution (2025 ICES paper ICES-2025-460)

Source: Monje, Fischer, Saetta, Yeh, Triana, Roberson (KSC/USF), "Human Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit: Staged Evolution of BLiSS Technologies", 54th ICES, July 2025.

Stage 1: Survival (current ISS)

Physicochemical systems only. Air and water recycling; everything else resupplied from Earth. - TRL 9 hardware: CDRA (CO2 removal), TCCS (trace contaminants), WPA, UPA - Adequate for ≤30-day missions - Brine, fecal waste, trash returned to Earth or jettisoned - CO2 and H2 vented

Stage 2: Intermediate

Bioregenerative systems process metabolic wastes. ISRU water input available. Still needs food + N2/O2 resupply. - Added: MABR/SAMBR bioreactors for urine + hygiene/laundry → potable water, fertilizer, N2 - Added: AnMBR + APMBR for fecal/organic waste → CH4, CO2, O2, fertilizer - Key TRL constraint: SAMBR/MABR at TRL 5; MABR-PAX (Pancopia nitrification) at TRL 3

Stage 3: Sustainable

Plant food production added. Closes air/water loop more completely. MRE supplement still needed. - Added: OHALO III plant production system (KSC, TRL 5→9, ending 2029) - ISRU H2O used to feed plants and bioreactors - Target: crew of 4 on Mars or Moon for >120 days without full food resupply

Stage 4: Mature

Full biomanufacturing. Recycled feedstocks → fuels, proteins, medicines, construction materials, 3D-printing filaments. Self-sustaining lunar outpost. - Products include CH4 (fuel), proteins, antioxidants, bioproducts, building materials - DARPA B-SURE integration referenced in 2025 paper

Current Technology TRL Status

From Table 1 of ICES-2025-460 (system-level TRLs for BLiSS integration, not standalone component TRLs — see note below):

Subsystem Hardware TRL
Air Processor CDRA, TCCS 9
Water Processor WPA 9
Water Processor Forward osmosis bag 7
Water Processor Reverse osmosis 9
Urine Processor UPA/BPA (small systems) 9
Urine Processor SAMBR (KSC/JSC) 5
Urine Processor Texas Tech MABR 5
Urine Processor MABR-PAX (Pancopia) 3
Organic Processor APMBR (KSC) 5
Organic Processor AnMBR (KSC/JSC) 5
Trash Processor Heat Melt Compactor 8
Trash Processor OSCAR (trash→gas reactor) 6
Plant Production Veggie/APH (ISS deployed) 9
Plant Production OHALO III (KSC) 5
Plant Production Eden ISS 7

The critical gap is Stage 2 organic+urine processing: SAMBR, Texas Tech MABR, and APMBR are all at TRL 5, with MABR-PAX (the final nitrogen denitrification step) at TRL 3. This is the technology frontier.

Important note on TRL interpretation (session 51): The BLiSS paper uses system-level TRLs for integration into the BLiSS architecture, not standalone component TRLs. Standalone component TRLs are higher:

Component Standalone TRL (verified) BLiSS system TRL
TTU MABR (rCOMANDR, via Paragon IRA) 6 (101819, Closed 2020) 5
Pancopia PAX (anammox second-stage) 5 (102274, Closed 2023) 3
OSCAR (trash→syngas) 6 (106688, Closed 2024) 6 ✓

The MABR-PAX component has real lab hardware (three-section continuous-flow reactor, confirmed via closeout photo). The TRL 3 reflects that Pancopia's PAX unit has not yet been integrated into the BLiSS system architecture — not that the physics are unproven. The BLiSS project [157839] (2024-2029) is the path for that integration work. Confidence: confirmed from TechPort project records.

Pancopia PAX anammox reactor Pancopia PAX three-section continuous-flow anammox reactor (lab-scale). Feed enters left, liquid flows through Sections 1-2-3 via recirculation loop, effluent exits right. Achieved TRL 5 by June 2023.

Project Architecture: What [157839] Is Actually Doing

The BLiSS project [157839] is the integration hub — not a single technology, but the coordination effort to connect the bioreactor streams into a single working architecture:

  • USF (Yeh lab): 4 bioreactors. Fecal waste → fertilizer. Wastewater → drinking water. Wastewater → O2. Wastewater → value-added products (sugar, edible algae, beta xanthan).
  • Texas Tech + JSC: Urine treatment bioreactor (nitrification-anammox, MABR-PAX approach). N2 gas for atmospheric top-off.
  • ARC: Small batch bioreactors for space microorganism testing.
  • KSC (Roberson lab): System integration lead. Developing APMBR and AnMBR as the core organic processing chain.
  • MIT: System modeling (not explicitly described but listed as partner).
  • Pancopia (SBIR): Treated wastewater → nitrogen gas conversion.

The BLiSS project advances from TRL 4 (individual bioreactors demonstrated in isolation) to TRL 7 (integrated system validated in relevant environment) over 2024–2029.

Per-crew-member waste load (30-month Artemis mission)

  • Water consumed: 2,250 kg
  • Food consumed: 1,359 kg
  • Metabolic wastes generated: 1,612 kg
  • Respiration/hygiene water generated: 4,156 kg Total waste stream to treat and recycle: 5,768 kg per crew member.

Policy Drivers

Three policy documents are driving BLiSS investment: 1. ESDMD M2M Architecture Definition Document (NASA/TP-20240015571, 2024 Rev B) — 10 Artemis missions, Artemis X planned for 2035 as first permanent habitat 2. NASEM 2023 Decadal Survey "Thriving in Space" — explicitly recommends NASA investment in bioregenerative LS and in-space biomanufacturing 3. NASA 2024 Sustainability Beyond Earth policy directive — further emphasis on bioregenerative systems

Artemis X (2035) is the critical gate. The staged habitat evolution model calls for transitioning from Survival Stage to Intermediate Stage by 2035. The BLiSS project ending in 2029 provides 6 years of margin to design, build, validate, and integrate. This is tight — it's the minimum timeline the authors cite in the ICES paper.

ISS ECLSS Gaps (Why BLiSS Is Needed)

Current ISS ECLSS limitations for surface missions: - 98% water recovery — significant loss through solid waste (towels, fecal) - Toxic hexavalent chromium pretreat for urine processing — not acceptable for long surface stays - Surface missions add new waste streams: showers, laundry, more hygiene → different surfactants, microfibers - CO2 and H2 vented when Sabatier reactor is not operable — resource waste - Brine waste not fully recycled (brine puck storage only) - No organic waste recycling — fecal/food waste jettisoned or returned

Key Personnel

  • Luke B. Roberson (KSC) — Primary PI and integration lead
  • Dayna S. Ise (MCO) — Program Director
  • Lindsay T. Aitchison (MCO) — Program Director
  • Daniel H. Yeh (USF) — Key bioreactor researcher

Publications (from library items)

[157839] has 7 library items including peer-reviewed papers, indicating active research output: - "Effects of an Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Upset Event on Nitrogen Speciation and Microbial Community in a Downstream Phototrophic Membrane Bioreactor" (APMBR) - "Evaluating Microbial Contaminant Removal in an Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Designed for the Treatment of Fecal Waste in Planetary Habitats" - "Multi-year Operation of the Organic Processor Assembly for the Treatment and Resource Recovery from Fecal Waste" - "Terrestrial Pharmaceutical Impacts and Processing via Bioregenerative Technology and Implications for Space Exploration Missions" - "Unleashing the Power of Anaerobic–phototrophic Membrane Bioreactors for Sustainable Bioregenerative Life Support"

This publication record is notable for a TechPort project — the BLiSS team is publishing peer-reviewed results from hardware testing.

Bioregenerative Wastewater Technology Lineage

The full TechPort-traceable lineage from component research to BLiSS system integration:

TTU MABR (rCOMANDR) — First-Stage Nitrification

Project Period TRL Lead Notes
91453 Characterization/Modeling 2013-2017 2→3 Academia (STRG) Hollow fiber MABR modeling
89792 IRA Phase I (Paragon+TTU) 2016-2017 3→5 Paragon (SBIR) MABR + Nafion membrane + GTCR integrated
101819 IRA Phase II (Paragon+TTU) 2017-2020 5→6 Paragon (SBIR) Highest standalone MABR TRL

Paragon Space Development Corporation (Tucson AZ) is the key system integrator for the MABR-based water recovery system.

Pancopia PAX — Second-Stage Denitrification (Anammox)

Project Period TRL Lead Notes
33503 Rapid Activation Phase I 2015 2→4 Pancopia (SBIR) Inoculum activation
90090 Rapid Activation Phase II 2016-2019 2→4 Pancopia (SBIR) Long-term inoculum stability
94743 Second-Stage Phase I 2018-2019 2→4 Pancopia+TTU (SBIR) PAX reactor concept
102274 Second-Stage Phase II 2019-2023 3→5 Pancopia+TTU (SBIR) Real 3-section lab reactor confirmed

No active Pancopia SBIR post-June 2023. Integration is now via BLiSS [157839] as sub-contractor.

OSCAR — Trash Conversion

Project Period TRL Program
95521 OSCAR Phase 1 2017-2019 3→5 STMD
106688 OSCAR ECI 2021-2024 4→6 ECI/STMD

OSCAR — Trash-to-Syngas Lineage

Orbital Syngas Commodity Augmentation Reactor — converts trash and human waste to CH4, H2, and CO2 via high-temperature reactor. KSC-led.

Project Period TRL Program
95521 OSCAR Phase 1 Nov 2017–Dec 2019 3→5 STMD
106688 OSCAR ECI Mar 2021–Mar 2024 4→6 ECI/STMD

[95521] ran 1g lab tests → drop tower at GRC Zero Gravity Facility → suborbital flight. Waste streams: cotton washcloth + food packaging. Transitioned_To ESDMD in February 2020 — technology moved from research (STMD) into the implementation arm. The ECI follow-on at KSC [106688] confirmed TRL 6 by March 2024. TRL 6 = system/subsystem validated in relevant environment (suborbital). The BLiSS paper's TRL 6 for OSCAR is accurate.

Source: get_project([95521, 106688]) batch, 2026-04-06.

MOGA — New O₂ Generation Approach (Relevant to BLiSS Stage 4)

Magnetohydrodynamic Oxygen Generation Assembly — NIAC Phase II at Georgia Tech (182463, June 2025–June 2027, TRL→4 target). PI: Alvaro Romero-calvo.

The ISS OGA (O2 generation via water electrolysis) uses forced recirculation pumps to separate gas bubbles from water — complex and failure-prone in microgravity. MOGA uses magnetic forces on the conducting electrolyte to separate O2 and H2 bubbles without pumps or centrifuges.

Claimed advantages vs. ISS OGA for 4-crew Mars transfer: - 32.9% mass reduction - 20.4% astronaut maintenance time savings - No forced recirculation loops, wider operating temperature range, reduced microbial growth risk, modular swap-ability

Phase I demonstrated basic feasibility (published journal paper). Phase II flies at ZARM Drop Tower (Bremen) and DLR at no cost to NASA (German partners pay). External industry review board will assess commercial infusion path.

Significance for BLiSS: The current TRL 9 OGA works for ISS (short-duration missions) but has known reliability issues for long-duration/Mars missions. MOGA is the candidate replacement for Stage 4 (mature BLiSS) where high reliability and mass efficiency are critical. Still NIAC Phase II = concept validated, not integrated.

Source: get_project(182463) live, 2026-04-06.

Open Threads

  1. ~~MABR-PAX at TRL 3~~ — Resolved (session 51). Pancopia PAX standalone TRL 5 confirmed. TRL 3 in BLiSS paper is system-level integration maturity, not component maturity. No active Pancopia SBIR post-June 2023; BLiSS [157839] is the integration path (Pancopia listed as sub-contractor partner).
  2. ~~OSCAR TRL 6~~ — Resolved (session 51). OSCAR is a two-project KSC lineage (Phase 1 TRL 5, ECI TRL 6). Converts cotton washcloth + food packaging → syngas. Transitioned to ESDMD 2020. TRL 6 confirmed.
  3. ~~Eden ISS TRL 7~~ — Resolved (session 51). Eden ISS is an ESA greenhouse project operated at Neumayer Station III, Antarctica. No TechPort record — it is an ESA cross-reference, not a NASA-funded system. The ICES paper cites it as a comparison reference.
  4. Ohalo III (MCO plant production) vs. BLiSS — Both end 2029. How do they integrate? BLiSS produces fertilizer/nutrients; Ohalo consumes them. This is the BLiSS integrated system loop.
  5. DARPA B-SURE — referenced in the 2025 ICES paper flow diagram as part of the mature stage. What technology does B-SURE provide? (Not in TechPort — defense program, external reference.)
  6. MOGA maturation — NIAC Phase II ending June 2027. If drop tower results confirm MHD bubble separation works at scale, what's the path to integration into BLiSS Stage 4? Watch for Phase III NIAC or GCD follow-on.

Cross-References