The International Workshop on Experimental Human Bioregenerative Life Support Systems hosted by the International Joint Research Center of Aerospace Biotechnology and Beihang University, organized by Prof. Hong Liu’s team, was held from December 2nd -4th , 2013 in Beihang University, Beijing, China.
Experts from Russia, the United States, Germany and Canada participated in this workshop. Vice President of Beihang University, Mr. ZHANG Jun, gave an welcome address on behalf of the organizing committee. Mr. Andrei DEGERMENDZHI, Academician of Russian Academy of Sciences and Mr. Mark NELSON, founding director of the Institute of Ecotechnics also addressed this workshop on behalf of honored guests.
Prof. LIU Hong, as the chairman of this workshop, hosted the opening ceremony, and delivered a keynote talk on Beihang University’s research progress and plan on BLSS.
The three-day workshop discussed issues on Experimental Human Bioregenerative Life Support Systems, summarized international experiences, and pushed forward the establishment of a multinational cooperation to develop theory and technology of BLSS and deep space manned explorations. This workshop focused on four aspects: 1) The design, construction, operation, and control of BLSS systems, 2) the technology of plant cultivation, 3) the technology of waste treatment and 4) problems of psychology, physiology and human factors in closed ecosystem. Keynote speeches and technical presentations around these topics were all very informative, drawing on a number of important experiments and perspectives on the challenges of closed ecological systems and initiated intensive discussion.
During the workshop, participants visited “Lunar Palace 1” ,the Permanent Astrobase Life-support Artificial Closed Ecosystem Ground-based Integrative Experimental Facility at Beihang University. This group of international experts was highly impressed with the system. “Lunar Palace 1 is among the most advanced experimental BLSSs worldwide, and can make timely and significant contributions to BLSS research through China’s very rapid progress in this field.”
The discussion reached a consensus that further strengthening of international exchanges and cooperation is needed for the research and development of BLSS.
