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Integrating physicochemical and biological technologies into a regenerative life support system is a complex technical challenge. NASA recognizes that the depth and breadth of the challenge warrants a comprehensive investigation. NASA is implementing several ground-based projects to look at different systems integration issues. The combined efforts of these activities will enable NASA to develop regenerative life support systems for human exploration of the solar system in the 21st century. This paper provides an overview of NASA's overall approach to ground testing of integrated regenerative life support systems.

A Laboratory-Scale Controlled Ecological Life Support System (Lab-Scale CELSS) is being developed in order to provide the insight, knowledge, and experience needed to design a human-rated CELSS facility. This multi-phase project will integrate pre-existing processors into a closed loop regenerative life support system testbed. Phase I of the Lab-Scale CELSS Project involves the integration of a crop growth chamber with a solid waste processor. Tests to date have shown that carbon and water can be recovered from inedible biomass for recycling to the plant chamber. This paper will describe the requirements, design, and some experimental results from Phase I of the Lab-Scale CELSS project and provide an overview of future phases.