space flight
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2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Trudel ◽  
Nibras Shahin ◽  
Timothy Ramsay ◽  
Odette Laneuville ◽  
Hakim Louati

AbstractAnemia in astronauts has been noted since the first space missions, but the mechanisms contributing to anemia in space flight have remained unclear. Here, we show that space flight is associated with persistently increased levels of products of hemoglobin degradation, carbon monoxide in alveolar air and iron in serum, in 14 astronauts throughout their 6-month missions onboard the International Space Station. One year after landing, erythrocytic effects persisted, including increased levels of hemolysis, reticulocytosis and hemoglobin. These findings suggest that the destruction of red blood cells, termed hemolysis, is a primary effect of microgravity in space flight and support the hypothesis that the anemia associated with space flight is a hemolytic condition that should be considered in the screening and monitoring of both astronauts and space tourists.


Life ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Alexandra Proshchina ◽  
Victoria Gulimova ◽  
Anastasia Kharlamova ◽  
Yuliya Krivova ◽  
Valeriy Barabanov ◽  
...  

Spaceflight may cause hypogravitational motor syndrome (HMS). However, the role of the nervous system in the formation of HMS remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of space flights on the cytoskeleton of the neuronal and glial cells in the spinal cord and mechanoreceptors in the toes of thick-toed geckos (Chondrodactylus turneri GRAY, 1864). Thick-toed geckos are able to maintain attachment and natural locomotion in weightlessness. Different types of mechanoreceptors have been described in the toes of geckos. After flight, neurofilament 200 immunoreactivity in mechanoreceptors was lower than in control. In some motor neurons of flight geckos, nonspecific pathomorphological changes were observed, but they were also detected in the control. No signs of gliosis were detected after spaceflight. Cytoskeleton markers adequately reflect changes in the cells of the nervous system. We suggest that geckos’ adhesion is controlled by the nervous system. Our study revealed no significant disturbances in the morphology of the spinal cord after the prolonged space flight, supporting the hypothesis that geckos compensate the alterations, characteristic for other mammals in weightlessness, by tactile stimulation.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinay K. Goyal ◽  
Ethan Barbour ◽  
Pavel Babuska ◽  
Kauser Imtiaz ◽  
James Smith ◽  
...  

2022 ◽  
Vol 2149 (1) ◽  
pp. 012012
Author(s):  
Georgi T. Georgiev ◽  
James J. Butler ◽  
Ron Shiri ◽  
Christine A. Jhabvala

Abstract This paper describes the initial work of characterizing the transmissive and reflective properties of black silicon diffusers. The diffusers were fabricated from a 100 mm diameter black silicon sample at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The directional hemispherical reflectance from 250 nm to 2500 nm and BRDF/BTDF measurements at 632.8 nm, 1064 nm, and 1550 nm were measured using the GSFC Diffuser Calibration Laboratory’s (DCL) spectrophotometer and optical scatterometer. The diffusers exhibit a low level of specular reflection up to ~1100 nm with no evidence of retroscatter. The measurements are traceable to those made at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (48) ◽  
pp. 35-35
Author(s):  
Elizaveta Kazakova ◽  
Marina Podobed ◽  
Alexander Prazyan ◽  
Daria Babina ◽  
Ekaterina Shesterikova ◽  
...  

A number of morphophysiological parameters of the candidate crop Lactuca sativa L. for growing in space after influence of the combined action of proton irradiation and clinostating were assessed. It was found that the effect of simulated space conditions reduces the surface area of leaf blades, the mass of roots and shoots of lettuce plants, was not change the number of true leaves. After 20 days of cultivation of L. sativa after irradiation and clinostating, the values of the parameters of the length of shoots, roots, and chlorophyll fluorescence were at the level of control plants. The results obtained contribute to the development of space crop production. Key words: GROWING PLANTS IN SPACE, SALAD CROPS, SOWED LETTUCE, IRRADIATION, PROTONS, STRESS, CLINOSTAT


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Victor R. Alekseev ◽  
Jiang-Shiou Hwang ◽  
Margarita A. Levinskikh

This work is a review of the experiments carried out in the Russian segment of the ISS (inside and outside) from 2005 to 2016 on the effect of the space flight factor on the resting stages of organisms. In outer space, ultraviolet, a wide range of high and low temperatures, cosmic radiation, altered gravity, modified electromagnetic field, vacuum, factors of technical origin, ultrasound, microwave radiation, etc. and their combination determine the damaging effect on living organisms. At the same time, biological dormancy, known in a wide range of bacteria, fungi, animals and plants, allows them to maintain the viability of their dormant stages in extreme conditions for a long time, which possibly allows them to survive during space flight. From 2005 to 2016, the resting stages (propagules) of micro- and multicellular organisms were tested on the ISS to assess their ability to survive after prolonged exposure to the conditions of open space and space flight. Among the more than 40 species studied, about a third were dormant stages of aquatic organisms (eggs of cyprinodont fish, daphnia embryos, resting eggs of fairy shrimps, tadpole shrimps, copepods and ostracods, diapausing larvae of dipterans, as well as resting cysts of algae). The experiments were carried out within the framework of four research programs: (1) inside the ISS with a limited set of investigated species (Akvarium program); (2) outside the station in outer space without exposure to ultraviolet radiation (Biorisk program); (3) under modified space conditions simulating the surface of Mars (Expose program); and (4) in an Earth-based laboratory where single-factor experiments were carried out with neutron radiation, modified magnetic field, microwave radiation and ultrasound. Fundamentally new data were obtained on the stability of the resting stages of aquatic organisms exposed to the factors of the space environment, which modified the idea of the possibility of bringing Earth life forms to other planets with spacecraft and astronauts. It also can be used for creating an extraterrestrial artificial ecosystem and searching for extraterrestrial life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 56-67
Author(s):  
A. A. Kordenko ◽  
V. V. Shishkina ◽  
A. N. Kordenko ◽  
D. A. Atyakshin ◽  
D. A. Sokolov ◽  
...  

Currently, there are many studies devoted to the problems of immunity in space flights. It has been proven that both short-term and long-term stay in space significantly reduces the immune function of the body. There are cases of the development of infectious diseases in astronauts during the flight, there is evidence of an increase in the activity of viruses and microorganisms that can affect the health of crew members. In the light of the upcoming expedition to Mars, it is especially important to study exactly what changes in the immune system can be triggered by prolonged stay in zero gravity and other factors of space flight and what preventive measures can help preserve the health of astronauts both during the flight itself and after its completion. The state of the immune system in space has been studied at various levels, from molecular to organ. There was a change in the morphological parameters of the immune system organs, violations of the ratio of their morpho-functional zones, and cellular composition. Various disorders in signaling pathways of differentiation, activation and death of immune system cells are shown. One of the most studied topics is the decrease in the activity of T-lymphocytes recorded by many researchers, however, even in this matter, the mechanisms of the violations occurring and their connection with the conditions of space flight have not been fully clarified. The relevance of methods for modeling microgravity conditions, such as various types of hanging, rotation on a clinostat, and immobilization is due both to their greater availability for research compared to space flights, and the importance of studying the role of various factors associated with flight in changes occurring in the human and animal bodies. This article presents an overview of publications devoted to a wide range of issues related to the state of the immune system in space flights and ground simulation conditions and attempts to combine the results of various levels of research – molecular, cellular and morphological.


2021 ◽  
pp. 117-133
Author(s):  
V.I. Vasilyev

The 5th of June 2021 will mark 41 years since the launch of the first manned spacecraft of the Soyuz T series. The difficulty of training to fly on the Soyuz T spacecraft was that the entire training base, all descriptions and guides necessary to study the ship and prepare the crews in a regular way, lagged behind the pro-cess of vehicle designing. In the course of the first trainings and flights, the forms, methods and training programs were worked out. The problem of re-training cosmonauts who performed flights on the Soyuz spacecraft was particu-larly critical.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155335062110532
Author(s):  
Karen Hughes Miller ◽  
Erica Sutton ◽  
George Pantalos

Background: Preparation for exploration class space flight requires planning to support human life in many circumstances including healthcare emergencies such as the need for acute surgical care, a notable example of which is appendicitis. Although performing a laparoscopic appendectomy on Earth is routine for a trained general surgeon, it is far from routine for a non-surgeon working in microgravity where IVs do not drip, drains do not drain, and gaseous anesthetic is out of the question. Because the procedure for laparoscopic appendectomy is so well documented, it was the ideal procedure on which to base a study on how to deconstruct a surgical procedure to examine all actions, skills, equipment, and supplies needed for success by non-surgeons working in an extreme environment. Study Design: Our challenge was to develop a task analysis model robust enough to include 3 performers (in the roles of surgeon, assistant, and anesthesiologist) including each action and instrument or supply item needed in chronological order, while indicating which actions were completed independently and which were done in tandem. We also had to indicate where variations in the actions would be determined by the negative response of the patient (failure mode), and which actions and supply items needed further research to accommodate working in microgravity. We opted to begin with a hierarchical task analysis model (HTA) because the steps in the task are sequential; but we expanded the typical linear presentation of data to a multi-column spread sheet with active links to instructional video clips where needed. Content development was an iterative process beginning with a scoping review of literature to select a baseline task analysis of the procedure. The SAGES 2010 approach was selected as most comprehensive, but logically focused on the surgeon’s performance with few references to the assistant or anesthesiologist. Those gaps were filled using content from training materials developed for surgical technicians and nurse anesthetists. The second step was an expert review of the spread sheet to identify gaps and inadequacies. The third step was a minute comparison of spread sheet content to actions and equipment as documented on 2 videotapes of the procedure performed by our team surgeon on otherwise healthy patients. The final review was accomplished by replicating the procedure on 360° video (with narration) using the spread sheet as a guide, then cross checking and correcting the spread sheet to correspond with the 360° video. This test procedure was performed on a lightly preserved, fresh cadaver since working at that very slow, deliberate pace would not be in the best interest of an actual patient. Results: In this study, simulation was actually used to test the expanded HTA rather than to evaluate a learner. The final spread sheet included 178 lines, 13 columns, 13 illustrations, and 4 active links to instructional video clips. Thirteen items or issues were identified as needing further research, 8 action sequences were identified as generalizable skills, and 27 supply or equipment items were identified as multipurpose. Excluding the pharmaceuticals necessary for IV general anesthesia (that research is on-going), we were able to replicate a laparoscopic appendectomy on a fresh cadaver using no more than 30 items. The procedure was done using 3 trocars with very few instrument exchanges through the trocars since the surgical assistant assumed the role of laparoscopic camera operator during the procedure. Conclusion: An expanded HTA of a surgical procedure can produce many useful outcomes including integrated training for all team members, review of instrumentation and supplies and, in our case, identifying areas for adapting to an extreme environment. Using an interdisciplinary team including instructional designers, subject matter experts from medicine and biomedical engineering, and media production enriched the process.


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