How Close Are We To Developing A Self Sufficient Space Station?

How far are we from developing fully self-sufficient space stations? originally appeared on Quora - the knowledge sharing network where compelling questions are answered by people with unique insights. Answer by Robert Walker, Writer of articles on Mars and Space issues, on Quora. We are a long way away from developing fully self-sufficient space stations. At least if you mean ones that are able to make and repair all the complex machinery, spacesuits, life support systems, computers, modules, etc. Instead, what they are attempting is: First, to recycle all the oxygen for breathing. At the moment they lose a lot of it into space as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. In the future, they could convert those gases to methane before they vent it, and so lose only carbon and hydrogen; saving the oxygen for recycling. Then, they could make all their food as well, using the recycled CO2 to grow plants or microbes. Use 3D printers to make some of the replacement parts. They are not attempting to make complex things like a spacesuit in space. A spacesuit would cost around $2 million dollars to build from scratch (not including design costs).  It would take someone who had all the necessary skills about two and a half years to build, given a supply of all the parts and materials needed. See Space suit evolution (NASA). That's on the Earth with all our facilities. So, it is not likely that we can build them in space with 3D printers at present or in the near future. Given thos...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - Category: Science Source Type: news