How can humanity live sustainably in space? As our ambitions for space exploration grow beyond short missions to permanent settlements on the Moon and Mars, this question becomes increasingly urgent. The challenges are immense: limited resources, constant radiation exposure, and the need for reliable life support systems that can function for years without resupply from Earth.
Houston-based Valley Spark, founded in 2021 by former NASA engineer Dr. Amelia Starr and tech entrepreneur Jack Nova, is tackling these challenges head-on. Their mission: to develop self-sustaining habitats that can support human life beyond Earth for extended periods. What began as a chance meeting at the International Space Technology Symposium has evolved into one of the most promising ventures in space habitat technology, with innovations that could fundamentally change how we live in space.
Facing the Void: The Challenges of Space Habitation
Living in space presents humans with an environment we never evolved to endure. Cosmic radiation can damage cells and increase cancer risks, while microgravity leads to muscle atrophy and bone density loss. Beyond these physical challenges lie psychological ones—isolation, confinement, and the constant awareness of extreme danger just beyond habitat walls.
Current space habitats, like the International Space Station, function more as temporary outposts than true homes. The ISS requires regular resupply missions from Earth, with approximately 7,500 pounds of material delivered every few months. Even NASA’s planned Artemis lunar base will initially depend heavily on Earth for survival.
“The problem with our current approach,” explains Dr. Starr, “is that we’re essentially camping in space, not living there. Each pound of supplies launched from Earth costs thousands of dollars. For true space settlement, we need systems that can function for years or even decades with minimal external support.”
This dependence on Earth creates a fundamental limitation: any mission is only as sustainable as its supply chain. A Mars mission with traditional approaches would require either massive initial supply launches or a complex logistics network—both prohibitively expensive and vulnerable to disruption.
Breaking the Chains: Valley Spark’s Innovations
At the heart of Valley Spark’s approach is a revolutionary closed-loop life support system that dramatically reduces dependency on Earth. The breakthrough came when Dr. Starr developed a novel method for recycling air and water in space habitats that was significantly more efficient than existing systems.
“What makes our habitat modules unique is the integration of biological and mechanical systems,” says Dr. Starr. “Traditional life support relies heavily on mechanical scrubbers and filters that eventually wear out. Our hybrid approach combines these with bioregenerative elements—living systems that naturally process waste and regenerate resources.”
Valley Spark’s habitat designs incorporate specialized algae chambers that remove carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, while simultaneously contributing to the food supply. Advanced water recycling systems recover more than 99% of moisture from air, waste, and used water, purifying it for reuse through a multi-stage process that requires minimal replacement parts.
Waste management—often overlooked but crucial—features prominently in their designs. Solid waste is processed through a combination of high-temperature decomposition and biological breakdown, recovering valuable elements and compounds that can be repurposed for 3D printing or growing food.
Artificial intelligence and automation serve as the nervous system of these habitats. Valley Spark has developed sophisticated AI systems that continuously monitor and adjust environmental conditions, predict maintenance needs before failures occur, and optimize resource usage based on current supplies and projected needs.
“Jack’s expertise in AI has been transformative,” notes Dr. Starr. “Our systems don’t just maintain conditions—they learn and adapt to changing circumstances, much like Earth’s natural ecosystems.”
The company’s modular design philosophy allows these habitats to start small and grow over time. Initial modules can function independently, but are designed to connect with additional units as missions expand. This scalability makes them ideal for progressive development of lunar or Martian settlements, enabling sustainable expansion without requiring massive initial infrastructure.
Beyond Tomorrow: What Comes Next?
Valley Spark’s journey from concept to reality is accelerating. Their successful three-month Earth-based simulation in 2022 validated their core technologies under controlled conditions. The next step is even more ambitious: a one-year closed-system test scheduled for 2026, where a crew of four will live entirely within a prototype habitat with no external resources except electricity.
“The year-long test is our proof of concept,” explains Dr. Starr. “If we can demonstrate that our systems can sustain human life comfortably for a full year with minimal external support, we’ll have a strong case for incorporating our technology into upcoming lunar missions.”
The company has already secured preliminary agreements with NASA to evaluate their habitat technology for potential integration into later phases of the Artemis program. Discussions with private space companies including SpaceX are also underway, exploring how Valley Spark’s habitats could support commercial space stations or even early Martian expeditions.
By the 2030s, Dr. Starr envisions fully functional lunar settlements using Valley Spark technology. These habitats would start with core modules delivered from Earth but would gradually achieve greater self-sufficiency by incorporating local resources. Lunar regolith could provide radiation shielding, while ice from permanently shadowed craters could supplement water supplies.
Similar principles would apply to Martian habitats, with additional capabilities to use the Martian atmosphere and soil as resource inputs. The ultimate goal is what Dr. Starr calls “Earth independence”—settlements that could survive and even thrive if supply missions from Earth were delayed or canceled.
A New Frontier
Sustainable space habitation represents the difference between merely visiting other worlds and truly becoming a multi-planetary species. The technology Valley Spark is developing today will form the foundation for humanity’s permanent presence beyond Earth tomorrow.
From that first meeting at a space symposium to their current position at the forefront of habitat technology, Dr. Starr and Jack Nova have transformed Valley Spark from a moonshot idea into a crucial partner for organizations planning long-duration space missions. Their work bridges the gap between scientific theory and practical application, creating tangible solutions to one of space exploration’s greatest challenges.
As humanity looks to the stars with renewed ambition, the question is no longer just how we’ll get there, but how we’ll stay. With innovations in closed-loop life support, AI-driven resource management, and modular habitat design, Valley Spark is lighting the way forward. The future of human life in space starts now, and it starts with sustainable habitats that can truly become homes among the stars.