Terrestrial Pharmaceutical Impacts and Processing via Bioregenerative Technology and Implications for Space Exploration Missions

Deep space exploration missions to the lunar and Martian surface are set to occur in the near future. The Environmental Control and Life Support System currently on the International Space Station (ISS) is inadequate for long-duration surface operations. Achieving optimal resource and water recovery makes membrane bioreactors for wastewater management attractive, but uncertainty exists regarding the pharmaceutical removal efficiencies. A narrative review synthesizing terrestrial wastewater profiles, bioreactor pharmaceutical removal efficiencies, and spaceflight application was conducted. A range of terrestrial wastewater characteristics and variable but high removal efficiencies for anaerobic membrane bioreactors was found. Terrestrial wastewater archetypes serve as useful initial comparators for spaceflight operations though long-term surface operation contexts may ultimately differ significantly from terrestrial settings. Such differences may change bioreactor procedures and efficiencies, but anaerobic membrane bioreactors may still yet be a viable solution for long-term surface operations.