Life Support Systems Functional Stability and Human

In order to pursue space colonization, long duration spaceflight, and human missions to Mars, we will need closed ecological life support systems which provide sustainable use of limited resources. While such systems are in various stages of development, we lack knowledge regarding the functional stability of closed ecological life support systems (CES) for long-duration space missions. Our global Earth Biosphere CES functioning is based upon statistical regulations, which are provided by planetary buffers. All current deviations caused by human activity are currently absorbed by these planetary buffers. Man-made Closed Ecosystems function at the limits of their natural stability due to insufficient buffer capacities and thus needs to be replaced or supplemented by other more appropriate control approaches. Previous research has indicated that purposeful control from human can increase stability levels if specific algorithms compatible to natural mechanisms are applied. Theoretical analysis is being done on data obtained in different Closed Ecosystems and has been shown that certain limits of functional stability exist for each specific system in terms of average material cycle rate and range of fluctuations. These limits are determined by: the systems buffe