Evaluation of a Treadmill with Vibration Isolation and Stabilization (TVIS) for Use on the International Space Station

1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean L. McCrory ◽  
David R. Lemmon ◽  
H. Joseph Sommer ◽  
Brian Prout ◽  
Damon Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Vibration Isolation ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Lower Extremities ◽  
Structural Safety ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
Zero Gravity ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
International Space ◽  
Angular Displacements

A treadmill with vibration isolation and stabilization designed for the International Space Station (ISS) was evaluated during Shuttle mission STS-81. Three crew members ran and walked on the device, which floats freely in zero gravity. For the majority of the more than 2 hours of locomotion studied, the treadmill showed peak to peak Linear and angular displacements of less than 2.5 cm and 2.5°, respectively. Vibration transmitted to the vehicle was within the microgravity allocation limits that are defined for the ISS. Refinements to the treadmill and harness system are discussed. This approach to treadmill design offers the possibility of generating 1G-like loads on the lower extremities while preserving the microgravity environment of the ISS for structural safety and vibration free experimental conditions.

scholarly journals Design of a Small-Scale Experimental Model of the International Space Station Crew Quarters for a PIV Flow Field Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 01045
Author(s):  
Matei-Razvan Georgescu ◽  
Ilinca Nastase ◽  
Amina Meslem ◽  
Mihnea Sandu ◽  
Florin Bode
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Piv Measurements ◽  
International Space ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Small Scale Model

An attempt at improving the ventilation solution for the crew quarters aboard the International Space Station requires a thorough understanding of the flow dynamics in a microgravity environment. An experimental study is required in order to validate the numerical models. As part of this process, a small-scale model was proposed for a detailed study of the velocity field. PIV measurements in water offer high quality results and were chosen for the subject. Following certain similitude criteria, an equivalence can be found between the results of these measurements and the real ventilation scenario. This paper describes the development process of this small-scale model as well as its performance in the initial test runs. Details regarding the advantages and weaknesses of this first model are the core of the paper, with the intention of aiding researchers in their design of similar models. The conclusion presents future steps and proposed improvements to the model.

scholarly journals Spiders in space—orb-web-related behaviour in zero gravity

2020 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Zschokke ◽  
Stefanie Countryman ◽  
Paula E. Cushing
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Zero Gravity ◽  
Random Orientation ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
International Space ◽  
Orb Web ◽  
Web Building ◽  
The Web

AbstractGravity is very important for many organisms, including web-building spiders. Probably the best approach to study the relevance of gravity on organisms is to bring them to the International Space Station. Here, we describe the results of such an experiment where two juvenile Trichonephila clavipes (L.) (Araneae, Nephilidae) spiders were observed over a 2-month period in zero gravity and two control spiders under otherwise identical conditions on Earth. During that time, the spiders and their webs were photographed every 5 min. Under natural conditions, Trichonephila spiders build asymmetric webs with the hub near the upper edge of the web, and they always orient themselves downwards when sitting on the hub whilst waiting for prey. As these asymmetries are considered to be linked to gravity, we expected the spiders experiencing no gravity to build symmetric webs and to show a random orientation when sitting on the hub. We found that most, but not all, webs built in zero gravity were indeed quite symmetric. Closer analysis revealed that webs built when the lights were on were more asymmetric (with the hub near the lights) than webs built when the lights were off. In addition, spiders showed a random orientation when the lights were off but faced away from the lights when they were on. We conclude that in the absence of gravity, the direction of light can serve as an orientation guide for spiders during web building and when waiting for prey on the hub.

Microbial Observatory Research in the International Space Station and Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo”

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1025-1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaki Shirakawa ◽  
◽  
Fumiaki Tanigaki ◽  
Takashi Yamazaki ◽  
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Space Mission ◽  
The Body ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
International Space ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Experiment Module

The International Space Station (ISS) is a completely closed environment that offers a long-term microgravity environment. It is a unique environment where microbes can fly and attach themselves to devices or humans, especially the exposed parts of the body and head. The ongoing monitoring and analysis of microbes and their movement inside the Japanese Experiment Module (named “Kibo”) of the ISS are intended to study the effects of microbes on humans and prevent health hazards caused by microbes during a long-term space mission. This paper describes the current status and future plan of Japanese microbiological experiments to monitor microbial dynamics in Kibo. It also describes the future prospective and prioritized microbiological research areas based on the “Kibo utilization scenario towards 2020 in the field of life science.” Given the microbial research in space being actively conducted by the USA, NASA and international activities are also reported.

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