2014-10-202014-10-202014-07-13978-0-692-38220-2ICES-2014-106http://hdl.handle.net/2346/59608The 44th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Tuscon, Arizona, USA on 13 July 2014 through 17 July 2014.Roberto Furfaro, The University of Arizona, USASean Gellenbeck, The University of Arizona, USAPhil Sadler, Sadler Machine Company, USAFuture human exploration of the solar system will require architecting and deploying missions that last for years. Oxygen generation and atmosphere revitalization represent a critical component for sustainable long-term space missions. Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) can recycle oxygen, water and produce food. However, power is generally a limiting factor for effective implementation of such systems. Nevertheless, solar concentrating technology can be integrated with BLSS to improve performance and reduce the Equivalent System Mass (ESM). In this paper we present and discuss the development of a Fresnel-based Solar Concentration Power System (SCPS) for future Mars and lunar outposts. SCPS is primarily conceived to operate as energy support system for outposts that comprise a greenhouse-based BLSS as source for oxygen, water and food. The system employed a closed-loop sun-tracking system coupled with a Fresnel-based collector capable of separating the solar irradiation as function of wavelength along the system’s longitudinal axis. A set of fiber optics was employed to distribute the Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) portion of the spectrum to the greenhouse components. In addition, the system was designed to collect infra-red portion of the spectrum and convert it to electricity using a set of PV cells. An initial Fresnel-based SCPS prototype was tested and evaluated at the University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. An analysis was conducted to understand the impact of the system performance on the energy balance of future Mars and lunar outposts.application/pdfengPresentation