How does photosynthetic spirulina act as a component of the biological air revitalization system?
Answer
It scrubs exhaled CO2 and produces O2 as a byproduct.
The utility of spirulina extends into life support engineering because it is photosynthetic. This biological process requires light and carbon dioxide, which the algae absorbs from the environment, specifically scrubbing the CO2 exhaled by the astronauts. As a critical byproduct of this photosynthetic activity, oxygen (O2) is released back into the cabin atmosphere. This capability allows the bioreactor cultivating the algae to function as a regenerative biological air revitalization system, which is key to achieving self-sufficiency in closed-loop deep space missions.
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