The CLAIS project focuses on an air disinfection and treatment unit that enhances the cleanliness level of enclosed spaces beyond conventional filter systems. The device is designed to effectively remove fungi, viruses, bacteria, and odors from the air, achieving a purification level of 99.999% and beyond. It shall be installed as an extension of the ECLSS and significantly contributes to the health and well-being of the crew, diminishes the proliferation of unwanted microbial growth in sinks, and enables the extension of disinfection intervals for equipment

Medical imaging capabilities available in the ISS are today limited to an ultrasound scanner. While ultrasound offers a number of advantages, it also has several constraints, in particular in terms of operator dependence and difficulty in acquiring a high-quality images. In the field of medical imaging, ESA has for several years sponsored a number of activities focusing on ultrasound.

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A new approach to produce oxygen from the Martian atmosphere is proposed, linking two emerging technologies: non-thermal plasmas and ion-conducting membranes. Microwave plasma sources lead to high conversion rates and enable plasma ignition with light and compact solid-state generators. The unique pressure and temperature conditions on Mars are favourable for plasma CO2 decomposition, and the experiments and simulations carried out anticipate a competitive oxygen production per mass and volume of hardware in a future prototype.

The outer space is commonly perceived as one of the most hazardous environments for human beings. Nowadays, the training of astronauts relies on a wide range of courses and facilities to prepare them for any situation they may encounter in space. The combination of these training technologies has successfully prepared multiple generations of astronauts. However, these assets lack flexibility to customise the training process, and are limited in scalability to accommodate an increasing number of trainees.

The project MESG: Moon Energy Storage and Generation, funded by ESA (Contract Nr. 4000119561/17/F/MOS), demonstrated the feasibility of using processed lunar regolith simulant to store heat and, while releasing it, to produce electricity. The possibility to use adequately processed (compacted and eventually doped) lunar regolith for this purpose is a key development on the path to make sustainable long-term lunar habitation a reality.

Background and justification:

Future human space exploration, including missions to the Moon and beyond, will require a paradigm shift in the current approach to in-flight exercise countermeasures, particularly when it comes to exercise devices (e.g. CEVIS, T2, ARED to name a few). Exploration vehicles will be significantly smaller, requiring exercise hardware to be smaller, lighter and less complex than current devices, and ideally multi-functional, capable of stressing the musculoskeletal (MSK) system, the cardiovascular (CV) system and other associated system (e.g. neuro-vestibular - NV).