An objective determination of +Gz acceleration tolerance

Until recently, human +Gz acceleration tolerance has relied solely on subjective criteria relating to loss of vision. By use of newly developed noninvasive instrumentation using a transcutaneous Doppler flow system, objective end point criteria have been developed based on measured blood flow to the head. The system consists of miniature 8 MHz Doppler sensors (2 x 1 x 0.5 cm) placed on the forehead over both frontal branches of the temporal arteries to detect blood flow velocity from back scattered ultrasound. Its use has allowed for correlation of altered, decreased and actual reversal of eye level blood flow with subsequent central light loss. Over 100 subjects have now been studied during more than 2,000 centrifuge runs. Objective changes in temporal artery flow velocity consistently preceded visual degradation for each subject during all acceleration profiles. No subject has gone unconscious without first exhibiting a minimum 6 sec of total flow cessation. Retrograde flow followed by complete flow cessation always preceded central light loss. Results indicate that this method can be successfully used with a wide variety of tasks during exposure to +Gz acceleration. It is recommended for use during evaluation of protective maneuvers or devices on the centrifuge or during actual flight in high performance aircraft. It may also serve as a potential safety monitor during space Shuttle re-entry if there is doubt about a passenger's cardiovascular status.     

Comparison of gradual and rapid onset runs in a short-arm centrifugation

A gradual onset run (GOR) in a short-arm centrifugation was performed on ten healthy students. The centrifuge had a 1.8 m radius, and the subjects sat on a chair in a cabin. The Gz force increased to 2.2 Gz at 0.1 °/sec² for 32 min. and the same Gz-level was maintained for 20 min. Three out of ten subjects completed the whole protocol; the load on the others was terminated because of symptoms or increased heart rate. There were few symptoms such as vertigo, that was a common problem with a rapid onset run (ROR) in former experiments, due to the short-arm centrifugation. The changes of the flicker test after the load were much less in the GOR protocol than in the ROR protocol, even in the terminated group. GOR seemed preferable to ROR in preventing vertigo even though it took longer to reach the necessary G load.     

Effects of repeated long duration +2Gz load on man's cardiovascular function

Usefulness of a short-arm human centrifuge is expected when it is used in space as a countermeasure against cardiovascular deconditioning, problem of bone-calcium metabolism, etc. However, nothing is solidly established regarding the most desirable program for artificial G application. Accordingly, this study was designed to analytically evaluate the effects of repeated long duration +Gz load on human cardiovascular function. Recently heart rate spectral analysis has been recognized as a powerful tool for quantitatively evaluating parasympathetic and sympathetic activity separately in human. It is reported that power of the high frequency component (HF-p) is mediated selectively by parasympathetic activity and the power ratio of low to high frequency components(LF/HF) is indicative of cardiac sympathetic activity or cardiac sympathovagal balance. Sequence method is developed to examine spontaneous baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS). We studied cardiovascular control function by using these methods in 9 healthy men before and after 7 days of daily repeated 1hour +2Gz load. When compared with the data of pre-G load period, post-G load period, decrease of HR, increases of HF-p and BRS were statistically significant. SBP, DBP and LF/HF tended to decrease, however, these changes were not statistically significant. This results indicate that repeated +2Gz load increases parasympathetic activity and arterial baroreceptor-cardiac reflex sensitivity. In recent years, many investigators suggest that space flight and head-down bedrest leads to impaired baroreceptor-cardiac reflex responses and decrease of parasympathetic activity, which may contribute to orthostatic intolerance. So our results suggest that daily repeated 1hour +2Gz load would be useful in preventing post-flight orthostatic intolerance.     

Usefulness of daily +2Gz load as a countermeasure against physiological problems during weightlessness.

Adaptation to head-down-tilt bed rest as a simulated microgravity leads to an abnormality of reflex control of circulation, hypovolemia and reduction of exercise capacity. We hypothesized that this cardiovascular deconditioning and reduction of exercise capacity could be prevented by a daily 1 hr centrifugation at +2Gz. To test this hypothesis, twenty healthy male subjects underwent 4 day of 6 degrees head-down-tilt bed rest. Ten of them were exposed to a +2Gz load for up to 30 min twice per day (the Gz group). The remaining 10 were not exposed to a Gz load (the no-Gz group). We estimated autonomic cardiovascular control by power spectral analysis of blood pressure and R-R interval variability, and baroreflex regulation by the transfer function analysis and the sequence method, before and after bed rest. Further, we measured hematocrit as an index of changes in plasma volume and maximal oxygen consumption as an index of exercise capacity, before and after bed rest. Result: In the no-Gz group, heart rate increased after bed rest. The high frequency power of R-R interval variability as an index of cardiac parasympathetic nervous activity, baroreflex gains estimated by transfer function analysis and the sequence method as index of the integrated arterial-cardiac baroreflex function decreased significantly. Associated with these changes, the ratio of low to high frequency power of R-R as an indicator of cardiac sympathovagal balance tended to increase after bed rest in the no-Gz group. However, those showed no significant changes after bed rest in the Gz group. Hematocrit increased after bed rest in the no-Gz group. It also tended to increase in the Gz group, however it did not achieve statistical significance. Maximal oxygen consumption decreased significantly to similar extent in both the groups. Conclusion: This result suggested that 1) a daily 1hr +2Gz load produced by a centrifuge might eliminate the changes in autonomic cardiovascular control during simulated weightlessness; 2) furthermore, it might partly reverse hypovolemia induced by bed rest; 3) however, it could not prevent the decreases in exercise capacity.     

Italy's contribution, from a medical standpoint, to the space safety of payload scientists, and perspectives for the future

In Italy, the selection of the Italian payload scientists has been performed according to the Spacelab Program of ESA. Twenty-four subjects underwent a screening performed by the Health Service of Italian Air Force. They were requested to pass an exercise test on treadmill and another ten-minute test on centrifuge, subject to the effect of +3 Gz. The authors briefly describe the results of the test. Noteworthy is the determination of Central Flicker Fusion Frequency. This parameter makes it possible to assess the endurance level of the subject, much earlier than other techniques (e.g. EKG). The importance of an accurate preliminary screening is emphasized as well as of successive training periods. Future studies will be undertaken to compare evoked cortical potentials with behaviour parameters of space safety, with a view to setting up a subtle tool of evaluation for both future candidates and payload scientists.     

Human adaptation to simulated gravitational fields

We present the resuIts of manned studies in which test subjects were exposed to simulated zero g (water immersion or head-down tilt at -6 degrees) and head-to-feet acceleration. The findings give evidence that humans have different individual tolerances to an acceleration of +3 Gz after exposure to zero g, whether simulated by immersion or by head-down tilt. The paper discusses the role of functional relationship between water balance and cardiac output in the establishment of adaptive reactions to simulated zero g.     

加速度-气动力综合试验系统研制

加速度-气动力综合试验系统主要用来考核飞行器结构强度和内装物的环境适应性。LJ-1离心机半径10.8 m,适合开展大尺寸、危险品加速度试验,但是其吊篮只能固定在水平或竖直方向上,也不具有与加速度协调施加气动外压的控制系统。文章采用新颖的胀套锁紧结构,实现了吊篮在任意角度固定,并且抗翻转力矩达到13000N·m。气动力控制电路和气路安装在离心机上,上位机将转速通过光纤以太网发送给离心机上的PLC,PLC根据加速度控制气囊压力。试验验证LJ-1离心机具有对试件施加加速度载荷和气动力的综合试验能力。     

稳态加速度模拟试验设备: 离心机设计（13）

文章分3篇10章详细介绍了稳态加速度模拟试验设备——离心机的设计。 上篇对稳态加速度环境及其效应、试验方法和相关标准作了阐述;中篇（上）系统介绍国内外该类离心机发展的基本历程、概貌及典型离心机结构细节,并对其适当予以小结与点评;中篇（下）对离心机运动学进行基本理论分析,研究总体设计和部件设计问题,提出离心机设计原则及相应计算方法;下篇通过一个国家“七五”科技攻关项目的研制报告作为实例,提供读者进行具体设计时参考。 文中,作者对多年累积的技术资料与实践心得进行了系统整理与归纳,力求梳理出一条研制稳态加速度模拟用离心机的设计思路与实用程序,使其兼具资料性、技术性与实用性。该文对相关领域的研究者和技术人员将有一定启发与助益,对其他类同设备设计也有某些触类旁通作用,对该专业有兴趣的读者也可作为参考读物。 文章主要探讨的对象是中型、大型、特大型航空航天离心机,土工离心机和载人离心机。 在第7章中介绍了离心机半径、功率、结构布置、实验室建设等总体设计问题。     

稳态加速度模拟试验设备: 离心机设计（10）

文章分3篇10章详细介绍了稳态加速度模拟试验设备——离心机的设计。 上篇对稳态加速度环境及其效应、试验方法和相关标准作了阐述;中篇（上）系统介绍国内外该类离心机发展的基本历程、概貌及典型离心机结构细节,并对其适当予以小结与点评;中篇（下）对离心机运动学进行基本理论分析,研究总体设计和部件设计问题,提出离心机设计原则及相应计算方法;下篇通过一个国家“七五”科技攻关项目的研制报告作为实例,提供读者进行具体设计时参考。 文中,作者对多年累积的技术资料与实践心得进行了系统整理与归纳,力求梳理出一条研制稳态加速度模拟用离心机的设计思路与实用程序,使其兼具资料性、技术性与实用性。该文对相关领域的研究者和技术人员将有一定启发与助益,对其他类同设备设计也有某些触类旁通作用,对该专业有兴趣的读者也可作为参考读物。 文章主要探讨的对象是中型、大型、特大型航空航天离心机,土工离心机和载人离心机。 在第6章中分别就单轴、双轴及三轴离心机进行力学分析,然后对所有离心机的普遍特征予以介绍。     

Efficacy of periodic centrifugation of primates during 4-week head-down tilt.

Creation of artificial force of gravity (AFG) to counteract the negative consequences of microgravity in manned space missions of extended duration is one of the high-priority problems of space biology and medicine. However, there are a number of especial effects of AFG (namely, structural changes in muscles and bones, and some other system) which need implantation of electrodes and sensors and are possible only with animals. That is why it is of particular interest to make studies with monkeys whose reactions to changed gravity bear much resemblance with human. The purpose of the investigation was development of a protocol of periodic gravity loads as a counter-measure against the hypokinetic syndrome in Macaca mulatta. Two series of experiments were performed. In the series, animals were split into two groups of 6 species each who were motor restrained with the head end tilted downward at 5 degrees (HDT) for 28 days. Monkeys of group-2 were periodically subjected to centrifugation (HDT+G). During the first series of experiments rotation was conducted in the +Gz direction at g-loads from 1.2 to 1.6 units for 30-40 minutes 4-5 times a week. In the second series, g-load was equal to 1.2 units and the animals were rotated 30 min. 2-3 time a week. The criterion of Y-training protocol efficacy was a test +Gz run at 3 units for 30 s. during which functioning of the cardiovascular systems and its controls was evaluated. The test run was performed prior to and after HDT. Following HDT the animals of group HDT+G were more resistant to the test than their counterparts who had not been trained on the centrifuge. Data of the investigation imply that following HDT and HDT+G alike reduced the amount of total bodily fluids (by approximately 5%), the intracellular component (approximately 4%), and plasma volume (by 6-7%). Yet, there are radical differences between the groups in the levels of reduction in extracellular fluids (by 11% and 6.5%, respectively, P<0.05) and the interstitial component (by 11.5% and 6.5, respectively, P<0.05). Prophylactic centrifugation during HDT was also positive to the muscular blood flow in lower extremities.     

Human roles in future space operations.

Mankind has evolved in the biosphere from essentially another animal to the level that his industries and societies are powerful components of the life-cycles of Earth. Terrestrial industrial experience can be extended to the use of matter from the Moon and other non-terrestrial sources to create permanent habitats and industry in space. Space stations in low Earth orbit and small bases on the Moon can be the foci of early space industries for learning how to grow in space with local resources. Several near term and long range research topics appropriate to permanent human occupancy of space are reviewed.     

Spacelab experiments on space motion sickness

Recent research results from ground and flight experiments on motion sickness and space sickness conducted by the Man Vehicle Laboratory are reviewed. New tools developed include a mathematical model for motion sickness, a method for quantitative measurements of skin pallor and blush in ambulatory subjects, and a magnitude estimation technique for ratio scaling of nausea or discomfort. These have been used to experimentally study the time course of skin pallor and subjective symptoms in laboratory motion sickness. In prolonged sickness, subjects become hypersensitive to nauseogenic stimuli. Results of a Spacelab-1 flight experiment are described in which four observers documented the stimulus factors for and the symptoms/signs of space sickness. The clinical character of space sickness differs somewhat from acute laboratory motion sickness. However SL-1 findings support the view that space sickness is fundamentally a motion sickness. Symptoms were subjectively alleviated by head movement restriction, maintenance of a familiar orientation with respect to the visual environment, and wedging between or strapping onto surfaces which provided broad contact cues confirming the absence of body motion.     

稳态加速度模拟试验设备:心机设计(16)

文章分3篇10章详细介绍了稳态加速度模拟试验设备——离心机的设计.上篇对稳态加速度环境及其效应、试验方法和相关标准作了阐述;中篇(上)系统介绍国内外该类离心机发展的基本历程、概貌及典型离心机结构细节,并对其适当予以小结与点评;中篇(下)对离心机运动学进行基本理论分析,研究总体设计和部件设计问题,提出离心机设计原则及相应...     

稳态加速度模拟试验设备: 离心机设计（15）

文章分3篇10章详细介绍了稳态加速度模拟试验设备——离心机的设计。 上篇对稳态加速度环境及其效应、试验方法和相关标准作了阐述;中篇（上）系统介绍国内外该类离心机发展的基本历程、概貌及典型离心机结构细节,并对其适当予以小结与点评;中篇（下）对离心机运动学进行基本理论分析,研究总体设计和部件设计问题,提出离心机设计原则及相应计算方法;下篇通过一个国家“七五”科技攻关项目的研制报告作为实例,提供读者进行具体设计时参考。 文中,作者对多年累积的技术资料与实践心得进行了系统整理与归纳,力求梳理出一条研制稳态加速度模拟用离心机的设计思路与实用程序,使其兼具资料性、技术性与实用性。该文对相关领域的研究者和技术人员将有一定启发与助益,对其他类同设备设计也有某些触类旁通作用,对该专业有兴趣的读者也可作为参考读物。 文章主要探讨的对象是中型、大型、特大型航空航天离心机,土工离心机和载人离心机。 在第7章中介绍了离心机半径、功率、结构布置、实验室建设等总体设计问题。     

稳态加速度模拟试验设备:离心机设计（14）

文章分3篇10章详细介绍了稳态加速度模拟试验设备——离心机的设计。 上篇对稳态加速度环境及其效应、试验方法和相关标准作了阐述;中篇（上）系统介绍国内外该类离心机发展的基本历程、概貌及典型离心机结构细节,并对其适当予以小结与点评;中篇（下）对离心机运动学进行基本理论分析,研究总体设计和部件设计问题,提出离心机设计原则及相应计算方法;下篇通过一个国家“七五”科技攻关项目的研制报告作为实例,提供读者进行具体设计时参考。 文中,作者对多年累积的技术资料与实践心得进行了系统整理与归纳,力求梳理出一条研制稳态加速度模拟用离心机的设计思路与实用程序,使其兼具资料性、技术性与实用性。该文对相关领域的研究者和技术人员将有一定启发与助益,对其他类同设备设计也有某些触类旁通作用,对该专业有兴趣的读者也可作为参考读物。 文章主要探讨的对象是中型、大型、特大型航空航天离心机,土工离心机和载人离心机。 在第7章中介绍了离心机半径、功率、结构布置、实验室建设等总体设计问题。     

稳态加速度模拟试验设备：离心机设计（17）

文章分3篇10章详细介绍了稳态加速度模拟试验设备——离心机的设计。上篇对稳态加速度环境及其效应、试验方法和相关标准作了阐述;中篇（上）系统介绍国内外该类离心机发展的基本历程、概貌及典型离心机结构细节,并对其适当予以小结与点评;中篇（下）对离心机运动学进行基本理论分析,研究总体设计和部件设计问题,提出离心机设计原则及相应计算方法;下篇通过一个国家＂七五＂科技攻关项目的研制报告作为实例,提供读者进行具体设计时参考。文中,作者对多年累积的技术资料与实践心得进行了系统整理与归纳,力求梳理出一条研制稳态加速度模拟用离心机的设计思路与实用程序,使其兼具资料性、技术性与实用性。该文对相关领域的研究者和技术人员将有一定启发与助益,对其他类同设备设计也有某些触类旁通作用,对该专业有兴趣的读者也可作为参考读物。文章主要探讨的对象是中型、大型、特大型航空航天离心机,土工离心机和载人离心机。在第8章中介绍了离心机主要部件的设计。     

稳态加速度模拟试验设备: 离心机设计（11）

文章分3篇10章详细介绍了稳态加速度模拟试验设备——离心机的设计。 上篇对稳态加速度环境及其效应、试验方法和相关标准作了阐述;中篇（上）系统介绍国内外该类离心机发展的基本历程、概貌及典型离心机结构细节,并对其适当予以小结与点评;中篇（下）对离心机运动学进行基本理论分析,研究总体设计和部件设计问题,提出离心机设计原则及相应计算方法;下篇通过一个国家“七五”科技攻关项目的研制报告作为实例,提供读者进行具体设计时参考。 文中,作者对多年累积的技术资料与实践心得进行了系统整理与归纳,力求梳理出一条研制稳态加速度模拟用离心机的设计思路与实用程序,使其兼具资料性、技术性与实用性。该文对相关领域的研究者和技术人员将有一定启发与助益,对其他类同设备设计也有某些触类旁通作用,对该专业有兴趣的读者也可作为参考读物。 文章主要探讨的对象是中型、大型、特大型航空航天离心机,土工离心机和载人离心机。 在第6章中分别就单轴、双轴及三轴离心机进行力学分析,然后对所有离心机的普遍特征予以介绍。 关键词:环境模拟;加速度;离心机;设计     

Vestibular function in the space environment

Adaptation to the weightless state and readaptation after space flight to the 1-G environment on the ground are accompanied by various transitory symptoms of vestibular instability, kinetosis, and illusory sensations. Aside from the problem of how to treat and if possible prevent such symptoms, they offer a clue to a better understanding of normal vestibular functions. Weightlessness is a powerful new "tool" of vestibular research. Graybiel reported as early as 1952 that human subjects observed the illusion that a real target and the visual afterimage seemed to raise in the visual field during centrifugation when the subjects were looking toward the axis of rotation (oculogravic illusion). In aircraft parabolic-flight weightlessness, human subjects observed that fixed real targets appeared to have moved downward while visual afterimages appeared to have moved upward (oculoagravic illusion). It can be shown by electronystagmography as well as by a method employing double afterimages that part of this illusion is caused by eye movements that are triggered by the changing input from the otolith system. Another part of the illusion is based on a change of the subjective horizontal and must be caused by convergence of vestibular and visual impulses "behind" the eyes. This part was measured independently of the first one by using a new method. Eye movements could be prevented during these experiments by optical fixation with the right eye on a target at the end of a 24-in. long tube which was rigidly attached parallel to the longitudinal axis of an aircraft. At the same time the subject tried to line up a shorter tube, which was pivoting around his left eye, with the subjective horizon.     

Effects of microgravity and hypergravity on the cell: investigations on Paramecium tetraurelia.

Previous space CYTOS experiments have shown that space flights resulted in an increase in growth of Paramecia cultures. Microgravity is the major factor responsible of this response: indeed the stimulatory effect disappeared in inflight cultures placed on a 1 g centrifuge aboard the Spacelab. On the other hand, exposure to different levels of hypergravity on Earth resulted in an opposite response, i.e. to a reduced cell growth rate. A possible mechanism of microgravity on paramecia is discussed.     

Effect of physical fitness and training on physiological responses to hypogravity.

The studies on the orthostatic tolerance during the hypodynamics exposure seem to be significant in connection with the selection, training and health maintenance of astronauts. Using male human subjects of various physical fitness levels, fluctuations of their physical fitness through 2 weeks of vigorous athletic training were measured in many parameters. For some of the subjects, the effects of 6 hr thermal neutral water immersion exposure in head out supine position on the physical fitness parameters and orthostatic tolerability were compared before training with after training. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Before training, orthostatic tolerability before hypodynamics exposure increased, following the physical fitness levels; the value after the hypodynamics exposure decreased in all the cases, but no differences were observed between the physical fitness levels. (2) As a result of training an increase of the physical fitness capacity was observed. The increase of orthostatic tolerability before hypodynamics exposure was noticed except for athletes. (3) Before hypodynamics exposure the urinary excretion of noradrenaline on non-athlete subjects increased as the physicsl fitness level increased. The values were decreased by physical training, the more so the better the physical fitness. After hypodynamics exposure the same relation was observed. But for athletes the values remain more stable and the decrease by hypodynamics exposure was not so distinctive. Such decreased reaction to hypodynamic conditions seems to reveal the neuro hormonal mechanism for the detrimental adaptation of athletes to hypodynamics. These results suggest that stable athletes do not always have low orthostatic tolerability, but do not respond well to hypodynamic conditions, at least from the orthostatic point of view. The mechanism seems related to sympathetic nerve activity.