The Exploration Life Support project provides new solutions to the life support issues of human space flight. The Exploration Life Support project was established to address the specific needs of the Exploration Program. As a result the Exploration Life Support project will first focus on technologies for the Crew Exploration Vehicle, then lunar sortie and lunar outpost, and finally the mission to Mars. This progression in mission requirements is directly related to a progression from open loop life support systems to closed loop life support systems.

The primary goal of the Exploration Life Support project is to develop the life support technologies to a technology readiness level of 6 which is achieved by testing integrated systems in a relevant environment. This level of technology maturation will be scheduled for completion prior to the PDR of each targeted Exploration Program mission in order to give the prime contractor sufficient time to incorporate the technology into the respective program. The primary areas of focus for Exploration Life Support technology development include air revitalization, water recovery, waste management, and habitation. Please explore the links on the navigation bar to the left and learn more details about these and other areas of life support.