Biofilm Mitigation Technology Comparison for Life Support Systems Utilizing the Biofilm Test Stand

Biofilm accumulation in spacecraft water recovery systems is an ongoing challenge and effective biofilm management and mitigation strategies must be identified as long duration space flight and habitation missions commence. Biofilm produced by bacterial and fungal biomass causes severe clogs, damages equipment, and reduces the processing efficiency of recovery systems. Marshall Space Flight Center founded the Biofilm Lab dedicated to addressing this problem and collaborated with the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University to assess biofilm mitigation technology specific to exploration wastewater systems. The Biofilm Test Stand was created (as discussed previously in ICES-2024-96) specifically to evaluate new technologies for this use case. Over several phases of testing, the Biofilm Test Stand has evaluated 17 mitigation techniques and technologies for biofilm prevention on a smaller scale with ISS like conditions. This paper will discuss the results from each phase of testing, focusing on technology and technique effectiveness, complexity of the technologies and techniques tested, and the paths forward for mission integration.