Reloading partly recovers bone mineral density and mechanical properties in hind limb unloaded rats

Skeletal unloading results in decreased bone formation and bone mass. During long-term space flight, the decreased bone mass is impossible to fully recover. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the effective countermeasures to prevent spaceflight-induced bone loss. Hindlimb Unloading (HLU) simulates effects of weightlessness and is utilized extensively to examine the response of musculoskeletal systems to certain aspects of space flight. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a 4-week HLU in rats and subsequent reloading on the bone mineral density (BMD) and mechanical properties of load-bearing bones.     

“天宫一号”目标飞行器系统级自主安全设计

为确保载人飞行器在长期飞行中的设备安全以及短期飞行中航天员的安全,需要从系统层面进行自主安全设计,使航天器在出现地面无法快速反应的故障时能够启动安全模式进行自我保护。文章以能源安全设计为主对“天宫一号”目标飞行器系统级自主安全设计进行了论述,总结了设计经验,对后续型号的设计提出了建议。     

Using computer graphics to enhance astronaut and systems safety.

Computer graphics is being employed at the NASA Johnson Space Center as a tool to perform rapid, efficient and economical analyses for man-machine integration, flight operations development and systems engineering. The Operator Station Design System (OSDS), a computer-based facility featuring a highly flexible and versatile interactive software package, PLAID, is described. This unique evaluation tool, with its expanding data base of Space Shuttle elements, various payloads, experiments, crew equipment and man models, supports a multitude of technical evaluations, including spacecraft and workstation layout, definition of astronaut visual access, flight techniques development, cargo integration and crew training. As OSDS is being applied to the Space Shuttle, Orbiter payloads (including the European Space Agency's Spacelab) and future space vehicles and stations, astronaut and systems safety are being enhanced. Typical OSDS examples are presented. By performing physical and operational evaluations during early conceptual phases. supporting systems verification for flight readiness, and applying its capabilities to real-time mission support, the OSDS provides the wherewithal to satisfy a growing need of the current and future space programs for efficient, economical analyses.     

Psychological countermeasures for extended manned spaceflights

The authors examine psychological issues and countermeasures in extended space flight. Individual-oriented pre-flight countermeasures include basic psychological selection and training of astronaut candidates. Crew-oriented pre-flight countermeasures include crew composition based on psychological compatibility and psychological mission preparation. Psychological inflight support measures include those that address the emotional state and well-being of astronauts, performance efficiency, and prevention of task overload. Suggestions for an integrated approach to psychological countermeasures for extended flights are presented. Case reports examine psychological selection and training of German astronauts in preparation for the STS-55 mission.     

空间站在轨密封检漏技术研究

空间站除了在地面需要进行充分的总装检漏试验之外,还必须进行在轨运行时的密封检漏,这对于保证航天员的安全和飞行任务的成功非常重要。文章提出了空间站总漏率实时监测技术、空间站结构泄漏点定位与定量检测技术、航天员舱外检漏技术,以及空间站结构泄漏堵漏技术的具体方案和技术途径,并对关键技术做了比较充分的分析。该系统技术的研究与发展能为空间站的在轨泄漏检测提供可靠的保障。     

空间机械臂关节快换接口结构设计与分析

针对宇航员在轨出舱维护需求,提出一种机械锁紧与电气连接独立操作的快换接口,该快换接口具有在空间环境下拆装快速、拆装操作力小的特点,同时满足机械臂的刚度与承载能力。该接口由容差对接接口本体、机械连接锁紧装置、电连接器组件、电连接器插拔装置四个功能模块组成。采用双圆锥面配合设计容差对接凸凹本体结构。根据宇航员舱外操作的需求选择了具有平面浮动能力的快换接口电连接器,设计浮动装置使得该电连接器具有超行程量。采用曲柄滑块结构将操作工具的旋转运动转化为电连接器的直线运动,并基于驱动力矩最小确定曲柄滑块的参数。采用膨胀锁紧原理设计快换接口结构连接锁定装置,分析预紧力衰减对连接刚度的影响。     

超导核磁共振技术在航天员生命保障中的应用前景探究

长期空间飞行会对航天员的身心健康造成一定的不利影响,开展航天员生命保障的研究是非常必要的。核磁共振技术是疾病检查诊断的重要手段,同样在航天员生命保障医疗中将发挥重要的作用。文章结合国内外相关研究进展以及航天员选拔、训练和航天员医监医保的相关知识,探究了超导核磁共振技术在航天员生命保障中的应用前景。     

The ankle ergometer: a new tool for quantifying changes in mechanical properties of human muscle as a result of spaceflight

A mechanical device for studying changes in mechanical properties of human muscle as a result of spaceflight is presented. Its main capacities are to allow during a given experiment investigation of both contractile and visco-elastic properties of a musculo-articular complex using respectively isometric contractions, isokinetic movements, quick-release tests and sinusoidal perturbations. This device is a motor driven ergometer associated to an experimental protocol designed for pre- and post-flight experiments. As microgravity preferentially affects postural muscles, the apparatus was designed to test muscle groups crossing the ankle joint. Three subjects were tested during the Euromir '94 mission. Preliminary results obtained on the european astronaut are briefly reported. During the next two years the experiments will be performed during six missions.     

Bone and body mass changes during space flight

Long duration space flight has shown us that humans have significant bone loss and mineral changes because they are living in microgravity. Skylab and the longer Salyut and Mir missions, are providing us useful data and allowing us to explore the mechanism involved in skeletal turnover. Bone redistribution occurs throughout space flight with bone loss predominately in the weight bearing bones of posture and locomotion. The primary health hazards which may occur during space flight induced by skeletal changes include signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia, and the risk of kidney stones and metastatic calcification. After flight lengthy recovery of bone mass and the possible increase in the risk of bone fracture should be considered. Continued research studies are being directed toward determining the mechanisms by which bone is lost in space and developing more effective countermeasures by both the US (Schneider and McDonald, 1984 and Schneider, LeBlanc & Huntoon, 1993) and Russian (Grigoriev et. al., 1989) space programs.     

Adaptation of neuromuscular activation patterns during treadmill walking after long-duration space flight

The precise neuromuscular control needed for optimal locomotion, particularly around heel strike and toe off, is known to he compromised after short duration (8- to 15-day) space flight. We hypothesized here that longer exposure to weightlessness would result in maladaptive neuromuscular activation during postflight treadmill walking. We also hypothesized that space flight would affect the ability of the sensory-motor control system to generate adaptive neuromuscular activation patterns in response to changes in visual target distance during postflight treadmill walking. Seven crewmembers, who completed 3- to 6-month missions, walked on a motorized treadmill while visually fixating on a target placed 30 cm (NEAR) or 2 m (FAR) from the subject's eyes. Electronic foot switch data and surface electromyography were collected from selected muscles of the right lower limb. Results indicate that the phasic features of neuromuscular activation were moderately affected and the relative amplitude of activity in the tibialis anterior and rectus femoris around toe off changed after space flight. Changes also were evident after space flight in how these muscles adapted to the shift in visual target distance.     

Spatial factors and muscle spindle input influence the generation of neuromuscular responses to stimulation of the human foot

Removal of the mechanical pressure gradient on the soles leads to physiological adaptations that ultimately result in neuromotor degradation during spaceflight. We propose that mechanical stimulation of the soles serves to partially restore the afference associated with bipedal loading and assists in attenuating the negative neuromotor consequences of spaceflight. A dynamic foot stimulus device was used to stimulate the soles in a variety of conditions with different stimulation locations, stimulation patterns and muscle spindle input. Surface electromyography revealed the lateral side of the sole elicited the greatest neuromuscular response in ankle musculature, followed by the medial side, then the heel. These responses were modified by preceding stimulation. Neuromuscular responses were also influenced by the level of muscle spindle input. These results provide important information that can be used to guide the development of a “passive” countermeasure that relies on sole stimulation and can supplement existing exercise protocols during spaceflight.     

利用地月间空间站的载人登月飞行模式分析

为提高空间站利用率,降低载人登月任务成本,有效开发地月空间,研究了基于地月空间不同轨道空间站的载人登月飞行模式。首先对比直接往返登月飞行模式,对基于空间站的载人登月飞行模式进行任务分析,通过空间站将载人登月任务解耦为载人天地往返任务和登月任务两部分;其次通过轨道设计和稳定性分析提出考虑登月任务需求的地月间空间站可运行轨道和停泊点;最后建立一套飞行模式评价模型,从速度增量需求、飞行时间、空间环境、登月任务窗口、测控条件、交会对接技术难度、后续任务支持性和任务可靠性方面对6种不同位置空间站的登月飞行模式进行分析和定量评价。评价结果表明基于L2点Halo轨道空间站的载人登月飞行模式为更优飞行模式。     

Recent space developments in South Korea

Despite some setbacks – notably an indigenous launch failure – progress is being made in South Korea's space program and its public image has been boosted by the first flight of a Korean astronaut to the ISS. This report provides an update on recent and forthcoming space activities in the country and on its current cooperative arrangements.     

新型柔索式杆束结构压紧释放装置

针对空间机械臂、空间可展开天线等空间机构在收拢状态的杆束结构压紧与释放问题,提出一种基于柔性索捆绑压紧与热刀释放的新型压紧释放装置。建立了柔索式压紧释放装置锁紧状态的力学模型,分析了静态压紧和考虑惯性载荷情况下的绳索预紧力变化情况,得到了满足可靠压紧的绳索预紧力设计值。基于质量和刚度等效,设计了机械臂杆束结构力学等效件,并进行了正弦与随机振动力学试验。试验结果验证了所设计的柔索式杆束结构压紧释放装置的可行性,并可以推广到具有复杂包络的杆束结构压紧释放中。     

基于深度学习的空间站舱内服务机器人视觉跟踪

为提升舱内跟随服务机器人的任务辅助能力,解决机器人对航天员的视觉跟踪问题,提出了一种基于深度学习和概率模型的人体视觉跟踪算法。利用深度卷积神经网络实现了对穿着多样、姿态任意人体的稳定检测。结合人体检测结果,设计了运动预测概率模型,实现了对指定人员准确、连续的跟踪。算法对包含大多数航天员活动的多个数据集进行了验证。实验结果表明:提出的跟踪算法实现了对穿着多样、姿态任意人体的稳定跟踪,并有效避免了由于穿着相似、遮挡可能造成的误跟踪问题。该算法为空间站舱内跟随服务机器人对航天员的视觉跟踪提供了有效的解决方法。算法基于融合的RGB-D图像,工程上易于构建和实现,也可拓展到其他跟随服务机器人视觉跟踪任务中。     

Role of the astronaut in operating the Advanced Fluid Physics Module

The role of man in space is investigated in the operation of the Advanced Fluid Physics Module (AFPM), a scientific instrument dedicated to fluid physics research in a microgravity environment and flown on the Spacelab D2 mission. The astronaut involvement is addressed by applying the criteria of the THURIS study, conducted by NASA for the optimization of future manned space flights. Outcomes of the THURIS study are first summarized. The AFPM characteristics and interfaces are briefly presented. The five experiments performed on board Spacelab D2 are introduced and the involvement of the astronaut is described. Finally, THURIS criteria are applied to an AFPM experiment scenario. Results show that, of all the activities involved in the AFPM nominal operation, two thirds are related to hardware manipulation and to procedure following, while the last third uses the unique astronaut intellectual capabilities, making his presence in orbit mandatory for successful experiment completion.     

A glimpse from the inside of a space suit: What is it really like to train for an EVA?

The beauty of the view from the office of a spacewalking astronaut gives the impression of simplicity, but few beyond the astronauts, and those who train them, know what it really takes to get there. Extravehicular Activity (EVA) training is an intense process that utilizes NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) to develop a very specific skill set needed to safely construct and maintain the orbiting International Space Station. To qualify for flight assignments, astronauts must demonstrate the ability to work safely and efficiently in the physically demanding environment of the space suit, possess an acute ability to resolve unforeseen problems, and implement proper tool protocols to ensure no tools will be lost in space. Through the insights and the lessons learned by actual EVA astronauts and EVA instructors, this paper will take you on a journey through an astronaut’s earliest experiences working in the space suit, termed the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), in the underwater training environment of the NBL. This work details an actual Suit Qualification NBL training event, outlines the numerous challenges the astronauts face throughout their initial training, and the various ways they adapt their own abilities to overcome them. The goal of this paper is to give everyone a small glimpse into what it is really like to work in a space suit.