Human Life Sciences Constraints in Space Flight

Low Sample SizeSufficient numbers of subjects for meaningful results can be difficult, may require multiple flights over years.

Absolute effects of weightlessness not known Physical activity associated with mission operations, deliberate exercise countermeasures, environmental parameters, sleep shifting, psychological factors, medical investigations, medical treatment, etc.

Standard investigative and diagnostic methods are often not possible Levels of control and scientific rigor may be less than ‘gold standard’ conditions in ground laboratories. Crewmembers serve as subjects, operators, lab techs, data managers, etc, in addition to other flight duties

Everything takes a little longer in micro gravity….

** For the most part, it works. **

ISS Onsite Analysis, Diagnosis and Research

Blood: HCT, simple electrolytes and enzymes (portable clinical blood analyzer, ‘Reflotron’ analyzer)

Urine: basic reagent stick analysis

Physical exam: body mass, vital signs, pulse oximetry, medical reports (IFEP)

Imagery: Ultrasound (echocardiography, abdominal U/S, etc)

ECG, 12 lead real time and 24 hr ambulatory monitoring

Pulmonary function / spirometry

Environmental:

Water – total organic carbon, microbiology (colony count), coliformsNoise – environmental levels, personal dosimetry, audiologyAtmosphere – basic constituents, volatile organics, microbial (colony count)Radiation – area counts

Potential Expanded Onsite Analysis for Space Flight

Blood Parameters: white blood cell count and differential, metabolic makers (bone, muscle breakdown products), expanded blood chemical constituents, key interest hormonal assays

Urine Parameters: metabolic markers (bone, muscle), hormonal assays

Microbial culture and sensitivity: for body fluids, wounds, sampling sites

Bone densitometry, direct or proxy

Radiation, personal dosimetry

Environmental:

Expanded air and water sampling, such that all requirements met by onsite analysis