Medical, Psychological, and Environmental Issues of Artificial Gravity

Abstract

American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts have established a presence in space for approximately 40 years. Although most have spent several weeks in space, a few have logged a little over one year. Based upon this experience, flight surgeons have defined the adaptive (physiological and psychological) and maladaptive (medical and psychiatric) effects of microgravity and re-adaptation upon return to Earth. Although a number of countermeasures are being used, they only retard the effects of microgravity. None has proven to be truly effective. This chapter reviews the areas where artificial gravity could be beneficial from the flight surgeon perspective. It also examines the needs for medical monitoring and planned emergencies during studies on artificial gravity. Figure 11-01. Contour couches were fitted for Mercury astronauts for performing physiological performance tests in the long-radius centrifuges. Flight versions of these couches were also used during spaceflight, for increasing tolerance to acceleration during launch and re-entry. Photo courtesy of NASA.