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Planetary surface exploration and establishment of human habitats are complex tasks requiring a wide variety of capabilities. We currently do not posses these capabilities or experience base necessary for long-duration habitation of other planets. Future exploration can be guided by experiences gained during analogous activities at appropriate sites on Earth. The Antarctic continent is of great analog value to NASA in the area of planetary exploration. The U.S. South Pole Station is of particular relevance to habitat development. The Station offers great fidelity in resemblance to NASA missions, an effective infrastructure is already in place to support activities, and implementation of NASA-derived technologies can improve the quality of life for Station inhabitants and reduce the environmental impact of human activities on the Antarctic continent. These technologies can also address important issues facing remote communities around the globe.

The CELSS Antarctic Analog Project (CAAP) is providing NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) with an understanding of the complex and interrelated elements of life support and habitation, both on the Antarctic continent and in future missions to space. CAAP is providing a method for challenging the assumption upon which the application of regenerative life support systems are based and thus is providing a heritage of reliability and dependable function. Currently in the early stages of the project, CAAP is laying a path in addressing system engineering issues, technology selection and integrated operation under a set of relevant and real mission constraints. Recent products include identification of energy as a critical limiting resource in the potential application of regenerative systems. Alternatives to the traditional method of life support system development and energy management have been developed and are being implemented in the CAAP testbed.