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Research Containing: Mir

Evolution of Russian Microgravity Countermeasures

by on 22 August 2016in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

INTRODUCTION: Countermeasures to prevent or partially offset the negative physiologic changes that are caused by the effects of microgravity play an important role in supporting the performance of crewmembers in flight and their safe return to Earth. Research conducted in Russia on the orbital stations Salyut and Mir, as well as simulation experiments on the ground, have demonstrated that changes that occur during extended spaceflight in various physiologic systems can be prevented or significantly decreased by using countermeasures. Hardware and techniques used on the ISS have been substantially improved to reflect the experience of previous extended missions on Russian orbital stations. Countermeasures used during early ISS missions consisted of the U.S. treadmill (TVIS), cycle ergometer (capital VE, Cyrilliccapital BE, Cyrillic-3), a set of resistance bands, a postural muscle loading suit (Penguin-3), electrical stimulator (Tonus-3), compression thigh cuffs (Braslet-capital EM, Cyrillic), a lower body negative pressure (LBNP) suit (Chibis), a lower body g-loading suit (Kentavr), and water/salt supplements. These countermeasures are described in this article.

Related URLs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26630193

Nutrition and Bone Health in Space

by on 22 August 2016in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

The effect of weightlessness on the human skeletal system is one of the greatest concerns in safely extending space missions [1–11]. The ability to understand and counteract weightlessness-induced bone mineral loss will be vital to crew health and safety during and after extended-duration space sta- tion and exploration missions [1–7]. Research on bone mineral loss during space flight has gone on for more than half a century, and recent studies have shown significant progress in developing coun- termeasures that have proved to be effective, including good nutrition and exercise. We review the history of this research here and provide a summary of recent and ongoing studies, including efforts to counteract bone and calcium loss resulting from weightlessness. Unfortunately, the most obvious nutritional countermeasure—providing excess calcium—does not protect against bone loss [12]. This result is likely related to the decreased calcium absorption observed in space flight and in ground-based models [13–16]. Phosphate supplementation was also ineffective at reducing calcium excretion [17]. Combination therapy with calcium and phosphorus was also unsuccessful at mitigating bone loss and hypercalciuria [18]. Other nutrients, specifically sodium, protein, potassium, vitamin K, and omega-3 fatty acids, have also been proposed and/or tested as bone loss countermeasures [19], and are discussed in more detail below.

Related URLs:
http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-4939-2001-3_41#page-1

Characterization of fungi isolated from the equipment used in the International Space Station or Space Shuttle

by on 22 August 2016in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

As a part of a series of studies regarding the microbial biota in manned space environments, fungi were isolated from six pieces of equipment recovered from the Japanese Experimental Module "KIBO" of the International Space Station and from a space shuttle. Thirty-seven strains of fungi were isolated, identified and investigated with regard to morphological phenotypes and antifungal susceptibilities. The variety of fungi isolated in this study was similar to that of several previous reports. The dominant species belonged to the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus and Cladosporium, which are potential causative agents of allergy and opportunistic infections. The morphological phenotypes and antifungal susceptibilities of the strains isolated from space environments were not significantly different from those of reference strains on Earth.

Related URLs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26969809

Observation of radiation environment in the International Space Station in 2012–March 2013 by Liulin-5 particle telescope

by on 22 August 2016in Biology & Biotechnology, Earth Science and Remote Sensing

Since June 2007 the Liulin-5 charged particle telescope, located in the spherical tissue-equivalent phantom of the MATROSHKA-R project onboard the International Space Station (ISS), has been making measurements of the local energetic particle radiation environment. From 27 December 2011 to 09 March 2013 measurements were conducted in and outside the phantom located in the MIM1 module of the ISS. In this paper Liulin-5 dose rates, due to galactic cosmic rays and South Atlantic Anomaly trapped protons, measured during that period are presented. Particularly, dose rates and particle fluxes for the radiation characteristics in the phantom during solar energetic particle (SEP) events occurring in March and May 2012 are discussed. Liulin-5 SEP observations are compared with other ISS data, GOES proton fluxes as well as with solar energetic particle measurements obtained onboard the Mir space station during previous solar cycles.

Related URLs:
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2014JSWSC…4A..32S

Experimental elaboration of liquid droplet cooler-radiator models under microgravity and deep vacuum conditions

by on 22 August 2016in Physical Sciences, Technology Development & Demonstration

The basic results of space tests of liquid droplet cooler radiator models as the main elements of frameless systems for low grade heat rejection are considered. The studies carried out have been analyzed and intermediate elaboration’s results are summarized, which concern (1) the development of generators of drop let propellant flows, (2) revealing an operational behavior of fluid collectors of various types and analysis of unsolved problems associated with droplet collection upon the open trajectory’s section passage, and (3) pro vision of the coolant circulation contour’s closing. The necessity is substantiated for the activization of works directed to carrying out space experiments with improved radiator models and new promising propellants in order to provide a possibility of creating new space power plants characterized by megawatt power levels.

Related URLs:
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1134%2FS0040601515130066#/page-1

Russian Countermeasure Systems for Adverse Effects of Microgravity on Long-Duration ISS Flights

by on 22 August 2016in Uncategorized No comment

INTRODUCTION: The system of countermeasures for the adverse effects of microgravity developed in the USSR supported the successful implementation of long-duration spaceflight (LDS) programs on the Salyut and Mir orbital stations and was subsequently adapted for flights on the International Space Station (ISS). From 2000 through 2010, crews completed 26 ISS flight increments ranging in duration from 140 to 216 d, with the participation of 27 Russian cosmonauts. These flights have made it possible to more precisely determine a crew-member’s level of conditioning, better assess the advantages and disadvantages of training processes, and determine prospects for future developments.

Related URLs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26630192

The effect of microgravity on the in vitro NK cell function during six International Space Station Missions

by on 22 August 2016in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

The level of natural killer (NK) cytotoxic activity was measured during co-cultivation of human lymphocytes and target cells (K- 562) in microgravity. Flight experiments were carried out using special instrumentation, the “Fibroblast-1” cassettes, in the frame of Russian scientific program during six ISS missions. Lymphocyte suspensions from human venous blood were used in experiments during short-term flights on six ISS missions (7 –12). Russian space crew members performed the experiments after Soyuz docking. The first step was mixing lymphocytes and 3H-labeled K-562 cells and their incubation at 37°C during 24 hs; the second step was filtration of the cell suspension. The frozen medium and filters were analyzed for the cytokine level and cytotoxic activity after landing. It was found that lympho- cytes with different basal levels of cytotoxic activity kept the ability of recognizing and lysing malignant cells. In micrograv- ity, cytotoxity increased to 160% of the basal levels. Donor indi- vidual features modulated the magnitude of the increase. The measurement of interleukin levels (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-2) in medi- um showed that synthesis of TNF-α increased during cell co-cul- tivation in microgravity. The level of IL-2 was very low in flight and ground control samples. The production of IL-1 by lympho- cytes decreased after in-flight incubation. The results indicate that microgravity did not disturb the cytotoxic function of immune cells in vitro during 24 h incubation with specific target cells.

Related URLs:
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02919470

Circadian misalignment affects sleep and medication use before and during spaceflight

by on 22 August 2016in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Sleep deficiency and the use of sleep-promoting medication are prevalent during spaceflight. Operations frequently dictate work during the biological night and sleep during the biological day, which contribute to circadian misalignment. We investigated whether circadian misalignment was associated with adverse sleep outcomes before (preflight) and during spaceflight missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Actigraphy and photometry data for 21 astronauts were collected over 3,248 days of long-duration spaceflight on the ISS and 11 days prior to launch (n = 231 days). Sleep logs, collected one out of every 3 weeks in flight and daily on Earth, were used to determine medication use and subjective ratings of sleep quality. Actigraphy and photometry data were processed using Circadian Performance Simulation Software to calculate the estimated endogenous circadian temperature minimum. Sleep episodes were classified as aligned or misaligned relative to the estimated endogenous circadian temperature minimum. Mixed-effects regression models accounting for repeated measures were computed by data collection interval (preflight, flight) and circadian alignment status. The estimated endogenous circadian temperature minimum occurred outside sleep episodes on 13% of sleep episodes during preflight and on 19% of sleep episodes during spaceflight. The mean sleep duration in low-Earth orbit on the ISS was 6.4 ± 1.2 h during aligned and 5.4 ± 1.4 h (P o 0.01) during misaligned sleep episodes. During aligned sleep episodes, astronauts rated their sleep quality as significantly better than during misaligned sleep episodes (66.8±17.7 vs. 60.2±21.0, Po0.01). Sleep-promoting medication use was significantly higher during misaligned (24%) compared with aligned (11%) sleep episodes (Po0.01). Use of any medication was significantly higher on days when sleep episodes were misaligned (63%) compared with when sleep episodes were aligned (49%; Po0.01). Circadian misalignment is associated with sleep deficiency and increased medication use during spaceflight. These findings suggest that there is an immediate need to deploy and assess effective countermeasures to minimize circadian misalignment and consequent adverse sleep outcomes both before and during spaceflight.

Related URLs:
http://www.nature.com/articles/npjmgrav201519

International space station: A testbed for experimental and computational dosimetry

by on 9 June 2015in Technology Development & Demonstration No comment

The ISS and the prior station Mir provided the proving ground for future human long-duration space activity. A recent European Space Agency study recommended “Measurement campaigns on the ISS form the ideal tool for experimental validation of radiation environment models, of transport code algorithms and reaction cross sections”. Indeed, prior measurements on Shuttle have provided vital information impacting both transport code and environmental model development. Recent studies using the ISS 7A configuration with TLD area monitors demonstrated that computational dosimetry requires environmental models with accurate anisotropic and dynamic behavior, detailed information on rack loading, and an accurate 6 degree-of-freedom description of the ISS trajectory. The ISS model is now configured for 11A and uses an anisotropic and dynamic geomagnetic transmission and trapped proton models. The ISS 11A is instrumented with both passive and active dosimetric devices. Time resolved measurements have the advantage of isolating trapped proton and galactic cosmic ray components as was essential to transport code validation in Shuttle data analysis. ISS 11A model validation will begin with passive dosimetry as was used with ISS 7A. Directional dependent active measurements will play an important role in the validation of environmental model anisotropies.

Related URLs:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273117705001742

On-board TLD measurements on MIR and ISS

by on 9 June 2015in Technology Development & Demonstration No comment

This paper presents results from dosimetric measurements made aboard the Mir space station and the International Space Station (ISS) using the Pille portable thermoluminescent dosemeter (TLD) system. This paper includes the dosimetry mapping and automatic readout (trapped and untrapped components) results from Mir and ISS. The mean dose rate in 2001–2003 was 7 μGy h−1. Using the hourly measuring period in automatic mode, doses from both galactic (independent of South Atlantic Anomaly—SAA) and SAA components were determined during Euromir'95 experiment. The mean total dose rate was 12.5 μGy h−1, while the SAA contribution was 6.2 μGy h−1. A similar measurement was performed on ISS in 2001 and in 2003. Both the manual and automatic measurements show a significant decrease in dose rate in 2001 in comparison to 1995–1997 due to the change in solar activity. For determination of the high linear energy transfer contribution from the radiation field during the ISS mapping experiment, three CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors (PNTDs) were co-located with each TL detector. Analysis of the combined TLD and PNTD measurements showed a typical mean TLD efficiency of 84%, a dose contribution <10 keV μm−1 of 17%, and an average quality factor of 1.95.

Related URLs:
http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/content/120/1-4/438.abstract