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PubMed1991

Life sciences

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1992

KC-135 flights for life science activities.

The KC-135 Reduced Gravity Facility at the Johnson Space Center is a useful support facility for conducting brief zero gravity life science experiments, as well as for validating hardware designs and experimental protocols for more extensive shuttle-based experiments. This paper discusses the zero gravity capabilities of the aircraft, preparations for and conduct of the flight tests, and the procedures for requesting a flight. Several Ames Research Center experiments and procedure demonstrations are described. Finally, a crew perspective is presented that discusses the similarity of the KC-135-induced microgravity environment with that actually experienced in space.

Aircraft↗
PubMed1992

Considerations for Life Science experimentation on the Space Shuttle.

The conduct of Life Science experiments aboard the Shuttle Spacelab presents unaccustomed challenges to scientists. Not only is one confronted with the challenge of conducting an experiment in the unique microgravity environment of a orbiting spacecraft, but there are also the challenges of conducing experiments remotely, using equipment, techniques, chemicals, and materials that may differ from those standardly used in ones own laboratory. Then there is the question of "controls." How does one study the effects of altered gravitational fields on biological systems and control for other variables like vibration, acceleration, noise, temperature, humidity, and the logistics of specimen transport? Typically, the scientist new to space research has neither considered all of these potential problems nor has the data at hand with which to tackle the problems. This paper will explore some of these issues and provide pertinent data from recent Space Shuttle flights that will assist the new as well as the experienced scientist in dealing with the challenges of conducting research under spaceflight conditions.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1994

Educational projects in Space Life Sciences in Canada.

As part of its mandate the Space Life Sciences Program within the Canadian Space Agency has worked to increase interest in space and develop young scientists. Projects have been undertaken at the public school and high school level, with classroom resource material and science contests; at the university level with summer training programs, and at the post-graduate level with opportunities to complete research projects in a microgravity environment.

Biological Science Disciplines↗
PubMed1989

Research on Biolab, a multi-user facility for APM.

A study carried out by a team of seven scientists appointed by ESA resulted in the design of a biological laboratory "Biolab" for Columbus APM. The basis for the study were four pre-Phase A studies performed by industry on the assumption that 15 racks would be available to biology and biotechnology in the APM. Due to the constraints newly imposed by the Columbus project, only five racks are now allocated. The tasks of the Biolab scientific team were: (i) to define the scientific objectives of biological research in Columbus; (ii) to review the requirements of the industrial studies; and (iii) to design a multi-purpose facility compatible with the present constraints and satisfying the requirements of the biological investigations considered in the four studies. The Biolab team was able to define a facility capable of accommodating in five racks the following biological objects: small plants (up to 40 cm), insects like drosophila, frog eggs, single cells from animals, bacteria, slime molds and protozoa, as well as human physiology, but restricted to general diagnostic needs. The Biolab facility includes instruments and devices providing the capacity of holding and/or growing the organisms as well as to perform basic experimentation and a minimum essential diagnostic inflight. Within the growth unit the growth chambers/incubators are exchangeable, permitting the use of growth chambers of different sizes. The temperature will be adjustable to the requirements of the objects under investigation, i.e. either 20 or 37 degrees C. Thus a considerable level of flexibility will permit to investigate a broad spectrum of living systems.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The Free Fall Machine--a ground-based facility for microgravity research in life sciences.

A device is described in which a biological specimen is periodically accelerated for a short period. Each event is followed by a variable period of free fall. Assuming that the g-dose (expressed g s) has to surpass a certain minimal value to be perceived by cells, and in addition, there is a minimal time threshold for sensing a change in gravity, it is conceivable that conditions are created in which cells do not detect the periodic acceleration, and only experience the periodic free-fall movement as a long-term weightlessness condition. Using the cell-cycle progression of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas as an example, it is shown that with this device effects can be generated which are similar to those observed in satellite flights.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1997

Space Station Biological Research Project.

To meet NASA's objective of using the unique aspects of the space environment to expand fundamental knowledge in the biological sciences, the Space Station Biological Research Project at Ames Research Center is developing, or providing oversight, for two major suites of hardware which will be installed on the International Space Station (ISS). The first, the Gravitational Biology Facility, consists of Habitats to support plants, rodents, cells, aquatic specimens, avian and reptilian eggs, and insects and the Habitat Holding Rack in which to house them at microgravity; the second, the Centrifuge Facility, consists of a 2.5 m diameter centrifuge that will provide acceleration levels between 0.01 g and 2.0 g and a Life Sciences Glovebox. These two facilities will support the conduct of experiments to: 1) investigate the effect of microgravity on living systems; 2) what level of gravity is required to maintain normal form and function, and 3) study the use of artificial gravity as a countermeasure to the deleterious effects of microgravity observed in the crew. Upon completion, the ISS will have three complementary laboratory modules provided by NASA, the European Space Agency and the Japanese space agency, NASDA. Use of all facilities in each of the modules will be available to investigators from participating space agencies. With the advent of the ISS, space-based gravitational biology research will transition from 10-16 day short-duration Space Shuttle flights to 90-day-or-longer ISS increments.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1989

Space: a testbed for basic biomedical sciences.

In Space many bodily functions adjust to the absence of gravity. Our understanding of these homeostatic processes have depended on studies on man and other animals. The present paper briefly reviews how such studies may benefit some terrestrial medical problems.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1992

The Biological Flight Research Facility.

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) is building a research facility, the Biological Flight Research Facility (BFRF), to meet the needs of life scientists to study the long-term effects of variable gravity on living systems. The facility will be housed on Space Station Freedom and is anticipated to operate for the lifetime of the station, approximately 30 years. It will allow plant and animal biologists to study the role of gravity, or its absence, at varying gravity intensities for varying periods of time and with various organisms. The principal difference between current Spacelab missions and those on Space Station Freedom, other than length of mission, will be the capability to perform on-orbit science procedures and the capability to simulate Earth gravity. Initially the facility will house plants and rodents in habitats which can be maintained at microgravity or can be placed on a 2.5 m diameter centrifuge. However, the facility is also being designed to accommodate future habitats for small primates, avian and aquatic specimens. The centrifuge will provide 1 g for controls and will also be able to provide gravity from 0.01 to 2.0 g for threshold gravity studies as well as hypergravity studies. Included in the facility are a service unit for providing clean chambers for the specimens and a glovebox for manipulating the plant and animal specimens and for performing experimental protocols. The BFRF will provide the means to conduct basic experiments to gain an understanding of the effects of microgravity on the structure and function of plants and animals, as well as investigate the role of gravity as a potential countermeasure for the physiological changes observed in microgravity.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1990

Life sciences issues affecting space exploration.

The U.S. space program is undertaking a serious examination of new initiatives in human space exploration involving permanent colonies on the Moon and an outpost on Mars. Life scientists have major responsibilities to the crew, to assure their health, productivity, and safety throughout the mission and the postflight rehabilitation period; to the mission, to provide a productive working environment; and to the scientific community, to advance knowledge and understanding of human adaptation to the space environment. Critical areas essential to the support of human exploration include protection from the radiation hazards of the space environment, reduced gravity countermeasures, artificial gravity, medical care, life support systems, and behavior, performance, and human factors in an extraterrestrial environment. Developing solutions to these concerns is at the heart of the NASA Life Sciences ground-based and flight research programs. Facilities analogous to planetary outposts are being considered in Antarctica and other remote settings. Closed ecological life support systems will be tested on Earth and Space Station. For short-duration simulations and tests, the Space Shuttle and Spacelab will be used. Space Station Freedom will provide the essential scientific and technological research in areas that require long exposures to reduced gravity conditions. In preparation for Mars missions, research on the Moon will be vital. As the challenges of sustaining humans on space are resolved, advances in fundamental science, medicine and technology will follow.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1993

The ESA microgravity database.

To facilitate and optimise access to the results of previous microgravity experiments, ESA is establishing a Microgravity Database (MGDB). The database will give scientists access to descriptions of all experiments related to microgravity research carried out on ESA and NASA missions since the 1960s. MGDB incorporates both a local database available for PCs and Apple Macintoshes, and a remote database which can be accessed via the ESRIN Data Dissemination Network (DDN) and public X.25 networks.

Aerospace Medicine↗