For exploration missions ECLS systems are of different demands and requirements. Depend on the mission destination and the availability of resources ECLS systems shall be able to produce e.g. Oxigen/Air. Means', for ECLSS on

   Moon's surface:  O2 generation via electrolysis of Water (Moon crater ice or from Surface 

                              water molecules)

                              N2 from ISRU of the s.c . Solar Wind implanted Particles

   Mars'  surface:    O2 via electrolysis (soil Ice)    

                              N2 concentrated from the atmosphere   

Due to the lack of 'natural' resources the strongest demands on ECLS systems comes from the transfer vehicles during its journey to Mars, as the most challenging exploration mission. The mission duration and the none or limited resurces requires systems with great or maximum closure of system cycle. So called Hybrid ECLS  systems with a biological complement are able to close this gap.

The author is Principal Investigator of the overall project ‚Photobiorector at Life support rack (PBR@LSR)‘, a DLR1 project with ESA mission support (ESR/Experiment Science Requirement ESA, PBR@LSR-DLR-RD-RM-ESR-01, signed 20-01-2016). The experiment will show for the first time the feasibility of a so called hybrid Life Support System containing a chem.-phys. LSS (ACLS2/LSR3) plus a biological complement. 1 German Space Agency; 2 Advanced Closed Loop System, ESA, built by Airbus DS, Germany

3 due to the move of the ACLS from the COLUMBUS module to the US Lab the name changed to Life Support Rack LSR