MELiSSA (Micro Ecological Life Support System Alternative) is developing regenerative Life Support technologies for long-term human Space exploration missions. In the scenario of missions targeting longer distances and presence in Space (Moon, Mars) there is the need to decrease the dependency from Earth resupply. The MELiSSA loop is conceived as a circular system with several compartments, each one performing a specific function, providing all together the basic functions in life support: food production, atmosphere regeneration, water recovery. The sustainability of the system should be attained using wastes (CO2, urine, organic waste) generated by the crew as resources. The MELiSSA Pilot Plant is a facility designed for the terrestrial demonstration of this concept, hosting laboratory rats as a crew mimicking the respiration of humans. The MELiSSA Pilot Plant includes the continuous operation of several bioreactors, working in axenic conditions, connected one to each other, for long term operation campaigns, under the supervision of an overall control system. The lecture will focus on the description of the MELiSSA Pilot Plant technologies and will provide results on long-term operation tests.

Francesc Gòdia is a full Professor of Chemical Engineering at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) since 1993, with teaching activities in Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering. In addition, he is the coordinator of the Biotechnology Doctoral Program at UAB. His research is on Regenerative Life Support Systems in Space for human long-term missions and Animal Cell Technology to produce biopharmaceuticals, recombinant vaccines and vectors for gene therapy. Gòdia is author of 140 research papers, advisor of 47 completed PhD thesis and overall Manager of the MELiSSA Pilot Plant a joint facility of UAB and ESA (European Space Agency). Furthermore, he is President of the European Federation of Biotechnology and member of the Executive Board of the European Society for the Advancement of Cell Technology.