Main characteristics of biological components of developing life support system observed during the experiments aboard orbital complex MIR.

Since 1990, the orbital complex MIR has witnessed several incubator experiments for determination of spaceflight effects on embryogenesis of Japanese quail. First viable chicks who had completed the whole embryological cycle in MIR microgravity hatched out in 1990; it became clear that newborns would not be able to adapt to microgravity unaided. There were 8 successful incubations of chicks in the period from 1990 to 1999.

[Biological life support systems: investigations on board of orbital complex "Mir"].

From 1989 till 1998 twelve experiments were performed by Bulgarian, Russian, Slovak, and US researchers and engineers on the effects of space flight on the model of ecosystem "algae-fishes-bacteria", and ontogenesis of birds (Japanese quail) and higher plants. For the first time several viable chicks were hatched and passed the whole cycle of their embryonic development in the MIR microgravity. The length of the plant ontogenetic cycle as a whole and its specific stages appeared to be same as on Earth.

[Hybrid biophysical-chemical life support systems for human].

Based on comparison of biological and physical/chemical regenerative life support systems (LSS) the authors maintain that hybrid LSS will apparently be the most congruous for future space vehicles. In their opinion, a hybrid LSS will evolve from a basic LSS with maximum regenerative functions. One of the precursory experimentally tested LSS could serve as the basic model.

'SVET' space greenhouse onboard experiment data received from 'MIR' station and future prospects.

The paper describes operation of 'SVET' space greenhouse onboard the 'MIR' orbital station since 15 June 1990 and the adopted biotechnological principles. The microprocessor and measuring systems for monitoring and control of the environmental parameters in the Plants growth chamber are presented. Information about the dynamic of these parameters in the course of the first space experiments with vegetables, obtained by means of telemetric data processing, is given.