Ongoing progress in space travel is posing more and more challenges. In particular, longer and more complex missions for the exploration of the solar system and other planets are extremely demanding in terms of sustainability. Frequently, life sciences on earth can provide solutions. To this end, OHB-System's life sciences department is conducting research into key technologies for use in space.

Our research includes preliminary activities in the following areas:

• CELSS (Closed Ecological Life Support Systems)
  Bioregenerative life support systems with a focus on aquatic components.
• Biomimetric strategies with a special focus on molecular bionics
• Alternative energy strategies
• Automatic analysis systems

With the ongoing progress made in the exploration of the solar system with stays in habitats characterized by 

• an increasingly closed environment
• declining possibilities for returning to earth

it is crucial for sustainability issues to be taken into account in the development of the requisite technologies.

Thus, it is necessary to develop technologies, which

• exert minimum impact on humans and the infrastructure,
• are self-sustaining due to the absence of any transportation possibilities.

The life sciences department therefore pays particular attention to issues relating to "sustainability in space".

In addition to developing space payloads, the department concentrates on

• the preliminary development of key subsystem technologies for the development of habitats for extended manned expeditions on the moon and Mars

the preliminary development of appropriate payloads for exploring the effect of changed environmental conditions on the moon and Mars on living beings and the structures surrounding them.