ejbehr@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu (Eric Behr) (06/05/91)
Mission Watch
STS-40 Spacelab Life Sciences-1
When the Space Shuttle Columbia lifts off for the STS-40 mission in
late spring 1991, it will be carrying the first Spacelab payload to fly into
space in six years.
Spacelab Life Sciences-1 (SLS-1) is a research mission devoted to ensuring the
well-being and effectiveness of future astronauts living and working on the
planned Space Station Freedom and traveling on long space voyages to
other planets such as Mars.
When astronauts are launched into orbit about Earth, they experience a
condition that is equivalent to the absence of gravity. This condition, called
by various names including weightlessness, zero gravity, and microgravity,
produces fascinating changes in the human body. In addition to space motion
sickness that some astronauts experience in the first day or two of
flight, there is an acute shift of body fluids in the direction of the
head. Faces become puffy and legs thin out. As a consequence of the fluid
shift, many body systems adapt by altering their normal functions. For a time,
the heart enlarges. Red blood cell production diminishes, and kidney and gland
functions increase. Weightlessness also leads to deconditioning of muscles and
calcium loss in bones.
The experiments on the SLS-1 mission are aimed at trying to answer many
important questions regarding the functioning of the human body in
weightlessness and its readaptation upon return to the normal environment on
Earth. How does space flight influence the heart and circulatory system,
metabolic processes, muscles and bones, and the cells? Will the human body
maintain its physical and chemical equilibrium during long space
missions? If certain body adaptations to weightlessness are undesirable, how
can those adaptations be prevented or controlled? When astronauts return, how
does the body readjust to the gravity of Earth?
Spacelab
Spacelab is an international resource for scientific investigations in
space. Built by the European Space Agency for NASA, Spacelab is mounted in the
Space Shuttle's payload bay. For SLS-1, the Spacelab long module
configuration, seven meters long by five meters wide, will be used. It is a
pressurized cylindrical module that is connected to the airlock in the
orbiter's middeck by a tunnel. The inside of Spacelab is arranged with two
long racks of scientific apparatus and support equipment that stretch along the
walls on either side. Larger pieces of equipment, such as a bicycle
ergometer and a device that measures body mass, are placed in the
center aisle.
Scientific Investigations
Ten experiments will explore the limits and capabilities of the human
body in space. Each, using the STS-40 crew members as test subjects. Medical
data will be collected on the crew members before, during, and after the
flight. One experiment will require that some of the crew wear neck
chambers that resemble whiplash collars. The devices will take blood pressure
measurements in an attempt for scientists to learn if the normal reflex system
that regulates blood pressure behaves differently in weightlessness.
(Influence of Weightlessness Upon Autonomic Cardiovascular
Controls)
Another experiment will try to determine just how rapidly astronauts become
accustomed to weightlessness and then readjust to normal conditions back on
Earth. The experiment will use measurements of gas exchanges during
respiration to provide information on the amount of blood pumped out of the
heart, oxygen use, and carbon dioxide release. (Inflight Study of
Cardiovascular Deconditioning) In an associated experiment, echocardiograph
(sonogram) measurements will be made of the heart to increase our
understanding of weightlessness-induced changes in the cardiovascular structure
and dimensions of the heart. As a part of the experiment, a
catheter will be inserted into a vein of an astronaut and positioned
near the heart to record data for 12 hours prior to the flight and four hours
into the flight. The catheter will indicate the degree and the speed of body
fluid redistribution. (Cardiovascular Adaptation to Zero Gravity)
Inner ear vestibular function and its relation to space motion sickness will be
investigated in a series of experiments. In one, crew members on a spinning
chair will be studied by scientists looking at how the sensation of motion
continues after the actual motion stops. In other associated studies, the
STS-40 team will study the interaction of conflicting visual, vestibular, and
tactile information. In still another study, two of the crew members will
wear accelerometers that measure all head movements and relate those motions to
any symptoms of space motion sickness that appear. (Vestibular Experiments in
Spacelab)
Studies of pulmonary function will be conducted to examine the distribution and
movement of blood and gas within the pulmonary system and how these
measurements compare to normal respiration on Earth. These studies involve
having astronauts breathing special gas mixtures and scientists analyzing gas
exchange with the lungs. (Pulmonary Function During Weightlessness)
Several of the major experiments involve studies of body chemistry and blood
cells. Protein metabolism during flight will be analyzed through urine and
saliva samples taken periodically during the flight. (Protein Metabolism
During Spaceflight) Urine samples will also be used for studies of long-term
kidney function. Changes in water, salt and mineral balance, and changes in
levels of hormones that affect kidney function will be examined. (Fluid-
Electrolyte Regulation During Spaceflight) Blood lymphocyte production will be
monitored through samples collected from crew members. This experiment will
attempt to determine if there are any alterations in the immune defense system
during spaceflight. (Lymphocyte Proliferation in Weightlessness) Another blood
study will try to determine the mechanisms that may be responsible for
decreases in red blood cell production seen in previous flights. (Influence of
Spaceflight on Erythrokinetics in Man)
The remaining experiment that studies crew members will measure the changes
that occur in the levels of calcium-metabolizing hormones and directly measure
the uptake and release of calcium in the body. This research is particularly
important because there is a loss of calcium associated with spaceflight that
appears similar to the condition of osteoporosis that causes bones to
become porous and brittle. Such loss could affect the health of astronauts who
have returned from long space flights. On a daily basis, the body mass of the
astronauts will be recorded and a log maintained of all food, fluids, and
medicines injested. This data will be compared to calcium-metabolizing hormone
levels in blood samples. (Pathophysiology of Mineral Loss During Spaceflight)
Other Investigations
In addition to the major life experiments described, SLS-1 will be
carrying 20 rats in a Research Animal Holding Facility (RAHF) and jellyfish in
several containers. SLS-1 crew members will care for the animals in a
demonstration of the capability of the RAHF to a house rodents adequately and
to contain the debris they produce during a mission. The RAHF is a
prototype of a facility that might be carried on Space Station Freedom. A
second group of 10 rats will be carried in two Animal Enclosure Modules in
Columbia's middeck. Jellyfish research will examine young jellyfish
to see if they seek any particular orientations during swimming when in orbit.
On Earth, jellyfish sense gravity and swim upward. Researchers will try to
determine if any physical changes take place in the gravity receptors of
jellyfish because of weightlessness. Detection of such changes could influence
future research on human spaceflight.
Getaway Specials
One additional set of payloads will be carried by STS-40. A bridge
structure supporting 12 Getaway Special containers will be mounted in the aft
end of the payload bay. Getaway Specials are small canisters that hold
self-contained experiments. The experiments can be designed by schools,
industry, and even individuals. The experimenters pay NASA for launch costs
and the only crew involvement is turning the experiments on and off.
Classroom Activities and Questions
1. The entire progress of the mission from launch to landing can be
observed on television if your school has a satellite dish. Direct the dish to
the SATCOM F2R satellite at 72 degrees west longitude. Tune into NASA Select,
transponder 13, 3960 megahertz. If your school does not have a satellite dish,
but does have a cable television hookup, call your local cable operators and
request they receive NASA Select and distribute it on one of their channels or
tape it for your use. Check local news services for updates on Columbia's
liftoff or call the NASA Kennedy Space Center at 407-867-2525 for a recorded
message.
2. Why is it important to improve our knowledge of the changes that
take place in the human body when it enters a weightless condition and then
returns to a normal gravity environment on Earth?
3. Construct a biological sensor from aquarium tubing, a small funnel,
and some plastic tape. Tape the tube to the funnel to seal any air leaks. If
a hot glue gun is available, use it to fill any gaps. Partially fill the tube
with colored water and shape the tube as shown. Press the funnel over the
carotid artery in your neck (next to the windpipe). Observe the water column.
What is the water movement measuring? How could such a device be modified for
use on the Space Shuttle in orbit? How could the data gathered by the device
be transmitted for study by researchers on Earth?
4. What technical problems might be encountered in properly caring
for rodents or other small animals in the weightless conditions on the Space
Shuttle in orbit? Students might design animal cages that could be used on the
Shuttle. They should include accommodations in their designs for feeding and
watering, ventilation, temperature control, and waste removal.
5. Investigate how free-fall creates weightlessness by obtaining a
copy of the video tape Space Basics and its teacher's guide from any NASA
Teacher Resource Center or Regional Teacher Resource Center.
Reference
NASA, (1989), Spacelab Life Sciences 1, NP-120, NASA Johnson Space Center,
Houston, TX.
SLS-1 Spacelab Configuration
Port Racks
Rack 1: Workbench
Rack 3: Research Animal Holding Facility
Rack 5: SMIDEX single rack
Jellyfish Experiment
Space Acceleration Measurement System
Rack 7: SMIDEX double rack
Solid Surface Combustion Experiment
Noninvasive Central Venous Pressure
Intravenous Infusion Pump
American Flight Echocardiograph
Surgical Work Station
Rack 9: Refrigerator/Freezer
Small Mass Measurement Instrument
Rack 11: Baroreflex Neck Pressure Chamber and electronics
Rotating Dome
Incubator
Low-g Centrifuge
Center Aisle
Body Restraint System
Bicycle Ergometer
Body Mass Measurement Device
Starboard Racks
Rack 2: Television and video monitoring equipment
Spacelab support services
Rack 6: Echocardiograph
Experiment Command and Data System/Microcomputer System
Rack 8: Gas Analyzer Mass Spectrometer
Rebreathing Assembly Unit
Life Science Laboratory Equipment (LSLE) Microcomputers
Vacuum Interface Assembly
Video Monitor
Cardiovascular/Cardiopulmonary Interface Panel
Cardiopulmonary Control Unit
Gas Tank Assembly
Rack 10: General Purpose Work Station
Rack 12: LSLE Centrifuge
STS-40 Quick Facts
Crew: Bryan O'Connor - Commander (Col., USMC)
Sidney Gutierrez - Pilot (Lt. Col., USAF)
Rhea Seddon - Mission Specialist (M.D.)
James Bagian - Mission Specilaist (M.D.)
Tammy Jernigan - Mission Specialist (Ph.D.)
Drew Gaffney - Payload Specialist (M.D.)
Millie Hughes-Fulford - Payload Specialist (Ph.D.)
Vehicle: OV-102 Columbia
Mission duration: 9 days
Orbital Inclination: 39 degrees
Orbital Altitude: 278 km
Primary Payload: Spacelab Life Sciences-1 (SLS-1)
Experiments: Medical experiments in seven disciplines
cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary systems
hematology
muscles
bones
vestibular
immunology
renal-endocrine systems
Secondary Payloads: 12 Getaway Specials
--
Eric Behr, Illinois State University, Mathematics Department
Internet: ejbehr@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu Bitnet: ebehr@ilstu