Space-tech solutions for water and sustainability
Tomorrow INASMET-Tecnalia and ESA are holding a workshop on space innovation for water management at an event billed as the “biggest water festival on Earth”. Expo Zaragoza 2008, the international expo on water and sustainable development, is taking place in Spain from 14 June to 14 September.
"Space technology has provided very interesting solutions to problems with both drinking and industrial water," says Jesús Marcos from INASMET-Tecnalia, who will present ESA's Technology Transfer Programme (TTP) at the workshop. As one of ESA's TTP technology brokers, INASMET-Tecnalia facilitates the exchange of technologies between space and water management sectors.
Organised by Tecnalia Aerospace and ESA, the workshop will be held at the World Trade Centre at Expo Zaragoza. The aim of the workshop is to make participants from the 'water sector' aware that space technology can provide feasible alternatives to solve their problems and specifically address through examples some of the water sector's needs which can be met with the help of space technologies.
"Space technology transfers touch virtually every aspect of our every-day life", says Frank M. Salzgeber, Head of the Technology Transfer Programme Office (TTPO) at the European Space Agency, ESA.
"From intelligent textiles to car safety features, from medical applications innovations to novel engineering solutions, from gaming technology to high-tech environmental control systems – we are surrounded by technology that once originated in the space business and is now generating profits in businesses in a multitude of market sectors."
"At the EXPO in Zaragoza our Spanish technology transfer network partner will present several very interesting projects where advanced space technologies are used to provide novel solutions to water problems in our society."
Among the items for discussion will be how two space technologies have led to spin-offs in non-space sectors, a biosensor to spot contamination on the International Space Station (ISS) and ESA's Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative project, (MELISSA), headed by Christophe Lasseur, now in use for water treatment.
The workshop will address how space technologies can be used in non-space water-related areas including the SMOS satellite’s contribution to studies of the water cycle and its effects on the environment and the way in which Earth observation satellites help urban water management. This morning’s workshop is also an opportunity for technology donors and potential technology receivers in the water sector to meet.
From space to tap water
The Spanish start-up company Biofinder has developed an automated and fast early microbiological warning system, a biosensor based upon technology to detect micro-organisms onboard the ISS. This allows the detection of the most common microbiological parameters in both the food and environment industries.
Initially the company focused on water analysis, specifically for drinking water but in future it plans to further develop the biosensor for use in food analysis and possibly air analysis.
So far the company's sensor can be used to spot four types of parameters: Escherichia coli, including a large group of coli bacteria; Enterococcus faecalis also known as Group D Streptococcus; total coliform bacteria found in human and animal intestinal wastes; and total aerobic count. Biofinder is working on adding two more to this list: Listeria monocytogenes bacteria and salmonella.
"Our product has been customised with a user-friendly design, allowing a remote and in-situ water analysis that provides quantitative results in less than 12 hours. Other systems on the market require more time; ‘rapid’ methods take 20 hours to provide initial results and conventional, more complete methods take from 48 to 72 hours," explains Mikel Areso, CEO of Biofinder S.L.
Biofinder is now finalising the validation of the biosensor and working on developing systems to meet the specific needs of clients, whether for drinking water or for waste-water systems.
From feeding astronauts to handling waste water
Another interesting space project that has already led to spin-offs in the handling of waste water is MELISSA, which was conceived as a tool to understand the behaviour of artificial ecosystems and to develop technologies for a future regenerative life-support system for long-term human space missions, such as a lunar base or a mission to Mars.
Today food and water for astronauts in space is brought from Earth, but this will not be feasible for long missions to the Moon and other planets. A mission to Mars, for example, is expected to last for at least two years so it will be essential to grow food in space.
The driving element of MELISSA is the recovery of food, water and oxygen from waste (faeces, urea), carbon dioxide and minerals. To achieve this, a recycling system has been set up consisting of five compartments colonised by thermophilic anoxygenic bacteria, photohererotrophic bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria, and higher plants. The crew is the final element to complete the cycle.
Unwanted waste products and air pollutants are processed using the natural function of plants, which in turn provide food and contribute to water purification and oxygen for air revitalisation. Many other important benefits are also being examined for related industrial projects.
Several of the technologies and methods learned from MELISSA are already used in the handling and processing of waste water to avoid polluting the environment.
For example, a Belgian company has used the MELISSA research to devise methods to remove as much as 85% of the solid waste left over after waste-water treatment and to convert it into water and methane gas, which can be used to generate electricity.
"There is a huge potential in space technology and what it can offer,” says Marcos.
The INASMET-Tecnalia and ESA workshop "Application of the Space Innovation for Water Management" will take place 17 July 2008, starting 9:30, at the World Trade Centre at Expo Zaragoza, WTCZ, María Zambrano 31, room Aragón 3 – 6. Advanced registration is recommended as a limited number of seats are available.
ESA's Technology Transfer Programme
ESA's Technology Transfer Programme Office (TTPO) is set up to facilitate the use of space technology and space systems for non-space applications and to further demonstrate the benefit of the European space programme to European citizens. In addition TTPO operates three Business Incubation offices in Europe to support start-up companies to spin-off space technologies and create new companies and jobs in Europe. For more information, please contact:
Technology Transfer Programme
European Space Agency - ESTEC
Keplerlaan 1, P.O. BOX 299, 2200 AG, Noordwijk
Office: +31 (0) 71 565 3910
Fax: +31 (0) 71 565 6635
Email: ttp @ esa.int