Closed-loop systems used to keep astronauts alive in space could inform circular economy strategies

Dr Christophe Lasseur, coordinator of the European Space Agency’s Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELISSA),  studies how to keep astronauts alive in space by recycling their waste products into water, oxygen, food and other materials. Using this expertise is helping the NextGen project design circular economy solutions for water on Earth.

The circular economy – a solution to the world’s water crises?

After narrowly avoiding “Day Zero”, Cape Town proved to the world this year that water should not be taken for granted – and as low levels of rainfall are compounded by heat waves in Europe, experts are calling for change in our consumption patterns and innovative water management strategies to help protect our most precious resource.