To investigate changes in spatial orientation ability and walking performance following space flight, 7 astronaut subjects were asked preand post-flight to perform a goal directed locomotion paradigm which consisted of walking a triangular path with and without vision. This new paradigm, involving inputs from different sensory systems, allows quantification of several critical parameters, like ...

In the paper the working context analysis and the required project hardware and software specifications of an innovative cytometry system able to operate in the space environment are presented. This new flow cytometer is the object of the “Space micro Environment Portable Active Cytometry Terminal” research project supported by the Italian Space Agency.

A timing discriminator design for space flight delay line image systems is presented. This discriminator processes delay line signal pulses having a few ns width and recovers event timing centroids with an accuracy better than 100 ps full width at half maximum. For space flight use, it is important to minimize parts count and power consumption. Because it is difficult or impossible to adjust eq...

The Laboratory for Astronomy and Solar Physics ͑LASP͒ continues to conduct a broad program of research and instrument technology development in ultraviolet and infrared astronomy and in optical/UV, X-ray, gamma-ray, and visible-light studies of the Sun. The program encompasses theoretical, observational, and experimental work, using platforms in space such as the Hubble Space Telescope ͑HST͒ Space ...

Weightlessness induces bone loss. Understanding the nature of this loss and developing means to counteract it are significant challenges to potential human exploration missions. This article reviews the existing information from studies of bone and calcium metabolism conducted during space flight. It also highlights areas where nutrition may play a specific role in this bone loss, and where cou...

Motor function is altered by microgravity, but little detail is available as to what these changes are and how changes in the individual components of the sensorimotor system affect the control of movement. Further, there is little information on whether the changes in motor performance reflect immediate or chronic adaptations to changing gravitational environments. To determine the effects of ...

   Licorice, the oldest Chinese traditional medicine, is widely used in the treatment of human diseases. Due to the deficiency of wild resource, selecting and breeding becomes a key issue to expanding the supply of licorice. Spaceflight technology will become a new method for medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spaceflight on the components and anti-inflamma...

Cephalad redistribution of intravascular and extravascular fluid occurs as a result of weightlessness during spaceflight. This provokes cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, and autonomic nervous system responses. The resulting altered functional state can result in orthostatic hypotension and intolerance upon landing and return to a gravity environment. In-flight lower body negative pressure (LBNP)...

The purpose of this study was to investigate plasma concentrations of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) during and after real and simulated space flight. Venous blood was obtained 3 min after the beginning and 2 min after the lower body negative pressure maneuver in two cosmonauts preflight (supine), inflight, and postflight (supine) and in five other su...

Traumatic injury strikes unexpectedly among the healthiest members of the human population, and has been an inevitable companion of exploration throughout history. In space flight beyond the Earth's orbit, NASA considers trauma to be the highest level of concern regarding the probable incidence versus impact on mission and health. Because of limited resources, medical care will have to focus on...