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Life Sciences experiments in Space are of interest to exploit the gravitationless environment, both as a new scientific tool which may give access to novel phenomena, and to open the path to potential practical applications on spacecraft. To fully exploit the capabilities which will be offered by the Space Station, the European Space Agency has anticipated future needs by initiating developments in the areas of space bioprocessing. The Bioprocessing Space Technology project (BIOST), funded under the Technology Research Program, addresses the development of novel sophisticated technologies dedicated to study, and exploit, biological cells.

Manned activity within a closed environment will generate a variety of wastes, both stable and potentially biodegradable. The wastes can never be totally eliminated: waste management aims to make a change of form which is both advantageous in terms of volume and hazard reduction and which does not compromise crew health and safety. Micro-organisms will be carried on board by the crew and will be present in the wastes. The fundamental philosophy of our waste management concept is to specifically exclude or specifically include this inherent microbial activity. The complete safe stabilization of waste requires its exclusion while the ultimate need of element recycle will rely on microbial conversion processes.