Integrated Model-Based Systems Engineering methodology for design, analysis and simulation of an Environmental Control and Life Support System for an Analog Habitat

In the context of human space exploration, the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) plays an essential role in ensuring that space habitats provide and maintain life-sustaining conditions for astronauts. A long-duration human spaceflight mission necessitates the development of a highly reliable and sophisticated ECLSS, for which traditional Systems Engineering (SE) approaches, being primarily document-based, are likely to be inadequate in addressing the intrinsic complexity of developing such systems. To overcome these limitations, this work explores the applicability of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) models and tools, and discloses an integrated MBSE approach that establishes a link between the system model and analysis and simulation tools to support the iterative evaluation and refinement of the system model throughout the design process. To validate the proposed approach, the methodology is applied to the preliminary design of an ECLSS for an Analog Habitat. The results highlight several advantages, including early validation and verification of concepts, improved detection of design inconsistencies, rapid evaluation of design changes, and enhanced robustness, traceability, and efficiency of the design process.