# AI-Driven Waste Management in Innovating Space Exploration
###### Abstract  
This research evaluates advanced waste management technologies suitable for long-duration space missions, particularly focusing on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sorting systems, biotechnological bioreactors, and thermal processing methods, such as plasma gasification. It quantitatively assesses the waste generated per crew member. It analyses energy efficiency, integration capabilities with existing life-support systems, and practical implementation constraints based on experimental ground and ISS data. Challenges are addressed, including energy demands, microbial risks, and integration complexities. The research also discusses methodological approaches, explicitly outlining selection criteria and comparative frameworks used. Key findings indicate that plasma arc technologies significantly reduce waste volume, although high energy consumption remains challenging. Enhanced recycling efficiencies of water and oxygen are also discussed. Future research directions and actionable policy recommendations are outlined to foster sustainable and autonomous waste management solutions for space exploration. s _Sustainability_  
10 March 202521 April 202527 April 2025  
For example, crewed expeditions to Mars or establishing lunar habitats have positioned waste management as a pivotal issue [13; 14; 15]. The stakes are higher, and the logistical complexities of managing waste in space have become more daunting. With the extension of mission durations and the expansion of crew sizes, the volume of waste generated in space environments has surged [16; 17]. A typical contingent of four astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) now produces upwards of 2500 kg of waste annually, encompassing a variety of refuse, including food packaging, human excrement, and spent equipment [18; 19]. This waste must be meticulously managed to safeguard crew safety, mitigate contamination risks, and preserve critical resources such as air and water [20; 21]. The urgency of developing effective waste management solutions is accentuated by the prospects of future missions targeting more remote destinations, such as Mars or the Moon, where resupply missions are less feasible, and the luxury of returning waste to Earth is absent [22; 23; 24]. In stark contrast to Earth, where natural processes facilitate the decomposition of organic waste, the space environment lacks gravity, atmospheric dynamics, and soil activity, which are integral to terrestrial waste management practices [25; 26]. In the microgravity conditions of space, such as those aboard the ISS, specialised systems are imperative for safe and efficient waste handling [27; 28]. Techniques must be adapted to accommodate the unique challenges of space; for example, human waste requires drying, compacting, and secure storage processes, while wastewater is subject to rigorous filtration and purification to produce potable water [29; 30]. The consequences of inadequate waste management in space extend beyond the immediate confines of crew health and comfort, posing substantial logistical and safety challenges [31; 32; 33]. Unprocessed waste occupies precious space aboard spacecraft, and if improperly handled, biological waste becomes a potential breeding ground for pathogens [34; 35]. Chemical wastes, unless effectively contained and neutralised, pose significant toxic risks [36]. Moreover, imprudent waste disposal contributes to the escalating problem of space debris--nonfunctional satellites and remnants from past missions that clutter Earth's orbit and pose collision risks to ongoing and future space endeavours [37; 38; 39]. Smart waste management solutions leveraging human-centric AI and advanced biotechnology are being explored to address these multifaceted challenges [40; 41]. AI and robotics are employed for their potential to classify autonomously and sort waste, enhancing resource recovery efficiency and converting waste into valuable by-products [42; 43].