Michael Flynn is a senior scientist and engineer at NASA Ames Research Center with over 35 years of experience spanning advanced ECLSS systems, water recycling, space architecture, alternative energy, gravitational biology, and astrobiology. He serves as Principal Investigator in water recycling technology development and Programme Manager for the Moon to Mars Exploration Systems and Habitation (M2M X-Hab) challenge.
He has authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications and has received two R&D 100 Awards, a Wright Brothers Medal, an AIAA Best Space Architecture Paper Award, an Arch T. Calwell Merit Award, and six NASA Spotlight Awards. He was recognised as Space Biosciences Star of the Month in February 2025. He has developed technologies for space, the NSF Polar Program, the Army, commercial space ventures, and terrestrial green building applications, and was featured in the documentary Brave Blue World (2019).
Mr. Flynn's research centres on advanced water recycling and life support systems for human spaceflight, with particular expertise in membrane-based treatment processes, forward osmosis, and regenerative ECLSS technologies. His work spans the full development cycle - from laboratory development through flight hardware fabrication and deployment - for both space and terrestrial applications.
Mr. Flynn has authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications on advanced life support, water recycling, space architecture, astrobiology, and alternative energy.
Flynn, M., et al. "Supercritical Water Oxidation: A Promising Wastewater Treatment Technology." 51st International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2022.
Flynn, M., J. Parodi, J. Romero-Mangado, O. Stefanson, H. Shaw, S. Pedersen. "Development of a Personal Water Reclamation System (PWRS)." 49th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2019.
Flynn, M., J. Romero, J. Parodi, R. Mancinelli, M. Dougherty, D. Loftus. "Synthetic Biological Membrane." 46th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2016.
Contés-de-Jesús, E.J., X. Cha, M. Flynn. "The Use of Porifera Membranes for Urea Rejection in Forward Osmosis Systems." 44th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2014.
Trent, J.D., S. Gormly, L. Delzeit, M. Flynn, et al. "Water Walls Life Support Architecture." NASA NTRS, 2013.
Richardson, T.J., M. Flynn, A. Brozell. "zNano Forward Osmosis Membrane for Wastewater Treatment Processes." 43rd International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2013.
Gormly, S., M. Flynn, A.S. Howe. "Space Cargo Transport Bags through Membrane Water Treatment Elements to Space Architecture Building Element." Journal of Green Building, 2012.
Flynn, M., M. Hightower, L. Delzeit, S. Gormly, et al. "Sustainability Base Graywater Recycling System." 41st International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2011.
Gormly, S., M. Flynn, A. Polonsky. "Membrane Based Habitat Wall Architectures for Life Support and Evolving Structures." 40th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2010.
Flynn, M., S. Gormly, T.Y. Cath, V.D. Adams, et al. "Direct Osmotic Concentration System for Spacecraft Wastewater Recycling." International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2007.
Cath, T.Y., S. Gormly, E. Beaudry, M. Flynn, et al. "Membrane Contactor Processes for Wastewater Reclamation in Space." Journal of Membrane Science, 2005.
Adams, V.D., A.E. Childress, S.J. Gormly, M. Flynn, et al. "Progress in the Development of Direct Osmotic Concentration Wastewater Recovery Process for Advanced Life Support Systems." 35th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2005.
Flynn, M. "Advanced Life Support Water Recycling Technologies Case Studies." NASA Technical Reports, 2004.
BS in Mechanical Engineering, San Francisco State University
Two R&D 100 Awards
Wright Brothers Medal
AIAA Best Space Architecture Paper Award
Arch T. Calwell Merit Award
Six NASA Spotlight Awards
Space Biosciences Star of the Month, February 2025
Featured in Brave Blue World (2019)
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Platform access opens Q4 2026 with first course in Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Express interest here and subscribe for enrollment updates.
Platform access opens Q4 2026 with first course in Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Express interest below and subscribe for enrollment updates.
"*" indicates required fields
