Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100344
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Space aquatic chemistry: A roadmap for drinking water treatment in microgravity
Author Ma, B.; Bai, Y.; Hu, C.; Xie, B.; Zhang, J.; Ulbricht, M.; Zheng, L.
Source Titel Environmental Science and Ecotechnology
Year 2024
Department TECH
Volume 19
Page From art. 100344
Language englisch
Topic T7 Bioeconomy
Keywords Microgravity; Drinking water treatment; Water quality; Challenges; Strategies
Abstract Rapid advancement in aerospace technology has successfully enabled long-term life and economic activities in space, particularly in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), extending up to 2000 km from the mean sea level. However, the sustenance of the LEO Economy and its Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) still relies on a regular cargo supply of essential commodities (e.g., water, food) from Earth, for which there still is a lack of adequate and sustainable technologies. One key challenge in this context is developing water treatment technologies and standards that can perform effectively under microgravity conditions. Solving this technical challenge will be a milestone in providing a scientific basis and the necessary support mechanisms for establishing permanent bases in outer space and beyond. To identify clues towards solving this challenge, we looked back relevant scientific research exploring novel technologies and standards for deep space exploration, also considering feedback for enhancing these technologies on land. Synthesizing our findings, we share our outlook for the future of drinking water treatment in microgravity. We also bring up a new concept for space aquatic chemistry, considering the closed environment of engineered systems operating in microgravity.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=28287
Ma, B., Bai, Y., Hu, C., Xie, B., Zhang, J., Ulbricht, M., Zheng, L. (2024):
Space aquatic chemistry: A roadmap for drinking water treatment in microgravity
Environ. Sci. Ecotechnol. 19 , art. 100344 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100344