# AI-Driven Waste Management in Innovating Space Exploration
## 2 Methodology  
A structured research approach was employed. Databases including Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, NASA Technical Reports, and ESA publications were searched using keywords such as \"space waste management\", \"AI waste sorting\", \"bioeractors in space\", and \"plasma gasification\". Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, and technical reports published between 2018 and 2024, relevant to waste management technologies for space applications. The literature was selected based on technological relevance, practical implementation evidence, and integration capabilities with life support systems. A comparative thematic analysis focused on energy efficiency, implementation practicality, and sustainability impacts. Figure 1 was explicitly designed to support comparative analysis and clarity of technological implications.  
Space missions produce various types of waste--solid, liquid, and gas--that increase in volume with longer missions, larger crews, and more activities. Human waste, including urine and faeces, poses a significant challenge. At the International Space Station (ISS), urine is recycled into drinking water, while faecal matter is compacted and disposed of during reentry into Earth's atmosphere. Although effective for short missions, these methods are insufficient for long-term exploration, such as potential Mars missions or lunar habitats requiring advanced biological waste processing. Solid waste includes used packaging, food scraps, and broken equipment, and the limited space in spacecraft complicates waste storage, necessitating compacting methods. As missions extend, efficient recycling systems  
Figure 1: Impact of waste management on crew health and mission sustainability.  
become vital to lessen reliance on resupply from Earth. Chemical waste from experiments and operations, including hazardous materials, presents another challenge. It is stored until it can be safely managed on Earth, but this approach is impractical for deep-space missions [50; 51; 52]. Advanced neutralisation and recycling systems are essential to manage these wastes in space, converting toxins into valuable resources like fuel or oxygen, thus supporting sustainable long-term missions. Overall, waste management in space is complex and demands innovative solutions and technologies to ensure the safety and efficiency of future long-duration missions (Table 1).  
_Complete Sterilisation of Biological Waste Measures_  
Advanced microbial bioreactors using genetically engineered microorganisms are vital for efficiently breaking down organic waste in space missions. These systems incorporate sterilisation methods, including high temperatures and chemical agents, to eliminate pathogens from by-products like methane and water. Incineration and pyrolysis effectively sterilise biological waste, ensuring safety. UV-C light sterilises air and surfaces, preventing pathogen replication. Waste processing units are isolated to mitigate contamination risks and are equipped with safety measures like double-sealed containers and automated sensors. Continuous health monitoring and air ventilation systems with HEPA filters ensure crew safety. Gaseous waste from life support and propulsion systems poses additional challenges, necessitating efficient air purification technologies. Current systems, like the ISS's Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly, filter and recycle air, while water electrolysis generates oxygen. Future missions will require advanced systems to manage increased waste and support extended operations.