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2011 | Book | 2. edition

Fundamentals of Space Medicine

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About this book

Investigations in space have led to fundamental discoveries of the human body to the space environment. Gilles Clément has conducted extensive research in this field. This readable text presents the findings from the life science experiments conducted during and after space missions. About 1200 human space flights have been completed to date, including more than 500 astronauts from various countries, for a combined total presence in space of about 90 years. The first edition of this title was published in 2005 (written in 2003 – 2004), and new data is now available from crewmembers participating in long-duration flights on board the International Space Station (ISS). The number of astronauts who have spent six months in orbit has doubled since 2004. On board the ISS, the astronauts use newly developed pharmaceutical countermeasure for bone loss (such as biophosphonates) and state-of-the-art exercise resistive devices against muscle atrophy and cardiovascular deterioration. The ISS life support systems now use advanced closed-loop systems for meeting the needs of a 6-person crew, including recycling urine to water. Some of these new technologies have potential spin-offs for medical (i.e., sedentary life style, obesity) and environmental issues here on Earth. And finally, there are new space research opportunities with the Orion space vehicle that will soon replace the Space Shuttle, the Moon, and Mars space exploration program that is slowly but surely taking shape, and the space tourism sector that has become a reality. The focus on this edition is the ISS, Orion and planetary exploration, and space tourism. This edition also includes more than 20% new material, along with photographs, data, and video clips for Springer Extras!

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Introduction to Space Life Sciences
Abstract
This first chapter describes the hazards that the space environment poses to humans, and how spaceflight affects the human body (where we are). We will then review the historical context of human spaceflight (how we got there), and end with the challenges facing humans in space (where do we go from here) (Figure 1.1)
Gilles Clément
Chapter 2. Space Biology
Abstract
Gravity provides a directional stimulus that plays an important role in basic life ­processes in the cell, such as biosynthesis, membrane exchange, and cell growth and development. It is likely that the growth and development of plants are determined by hormones, whose transport is also influenced by gravity. Will these functions develop normally when deprived of the gravitational stimulus? This chapter will review the fundamental questions raised in the space environment in the areas of gravitational biology, developmental biology, plant biology, and radiobiology. For more details, the readers are referred to the book Fundamentals of Space Biology by Clément and Slenzka [2006, Springer] (Figure 2.1)
Gilles Clément
Chapter 3. The Neuro-Sensory System in Space
Abstract
To be aware of the environment, one must sense or perceive that environment.1 The body senses the environment by the interaction of specialized sensory organs with one aspect or another of the environment. The central nervous system utilizes these sensations to coordinate and organize muscular movements, shift from uncomfortable positions, and adjust properly. One relevant question is “what is the relative contribution of gravity to these sensory and motor functions?” This chapter reviews the effects of microgravity on the functioning of the sensory organs primarily used for balance and spatial orientation. Disorientation and malaise so frequently encountered during early exposure to microgravity and upon return to Earth are described. Theories and actual data regarding the role of the central nervous system in the adaptation of sensory-motor functions, including the control of posture, eye movements, and self-­orientation, to changing environmental gravity levels are explored. For a comprehensive review of space research conducted in this area since the beginning of spaceflight, the reader is referred to the book Neuroscience in Space [Clément and Reschke, 2008] (Figure 3.1)
Gilles Clément
Chapter 4. The Cardio-Vascular System in Space
Abstract
One of the major concerns for both short- and long-duration spaceflight is the phenomenon of cardio-vascular deconditioning. Exercise deconditioning during spaceflight may significantly affect a crewmember’s ability to perform strenuous or prolonged tasks during and after a spaceflight mission, respond to an emergency situation, or assist a crewmate who might be incapacitated. This chapter introduces the principles of cardio-vascular fluid and electrolyte control to shed light on the symptoms typically reported by astronauts during and after spaceflight. Data from flight experiments are discussed, as well as the value of ground-based models such as bed rest studies. The value of exercise, inflatable suits, saline loading, and artificial gravity is also discussed (Figure 4.1)
Gilles Clément
Chapter 5. The Musculo-Skeletal System in Space
Abstract
Muscle and bone form as a result of life in a 1-g environment and the mechanical forces exerted on the body. In microgravity, support muscles such as those in the calf and thigh decline in volume, strength, and mass. Similarly, bones lose calcium, the mineral from which they derive their structure and strength, through the process of demineralization. Is the reported loss of muscle and bone mass that occurs during spaceflight self-limiting or does it continue? Is it permanent or is it reversible? Could the parallel loss of muscular strength and coordination jeopardize the return of piloted spacecraft or limit work capability and performance for surface operations on Mars? This chapter examines the effects of spaceflight on structure and function of the ­musculo-skeletal system, what the implications of such changes might be for long-­duration exploratory missions, and what countermeasures might be employed to ­prevent undesirable changes (Figure 5.1)
Gilles Clément
Chapter 6. Psychological Issues of Spaceflight
Abstract
This chapter emphasizes the importance of mental and social well being in the success of both short and long space missions. What are the psychological and sociological issues, which must be addressed, especially for international missions? This section reviews the factors that may have a critical impact on the success or failure of a space mission, in terms of interactions of the crewmember with his habitat, with the space environment, and with the other crewmembers (Figure 6.1)
Gilles Clément
Chapter 7. Operational Space Medicine
Abstract
Crew health care through all phases of spaceflight is a further assurance measure for mission success. Flight surgeons shepherd their assigned crewmembers through all mission phases, including training, medical exams, pre-launch suit-up, and post-landing recovery. These doctors are so essential that they are always first on scene for landing. If crewmembers were not mentally and physically healthy, their nominal and emergency interactions with the vehicle might be fatally compromised.
Gilles Clément
Chapter 8. Life Support Systems
Abstract
It is certainly true that robots like the Mars Pathfinder, Spirit, and Opportunity have shown that a lot of scientific information about a planet’s surface can be gathered by sending robots instead of people. As well, it can be done significantly cheaper. But imagine that you wanted to go to Paris. Would you be satisfied with a robot… taking very good pictures of the Eiffel Tower and chemically sampling the French food?
Gilles Clément
Chapter 9. An Investigator’s Guide
Abstract
In past years, hundreds of space life sciences investigations have been conducted on board the space shuttle, Skylab, and Spacelab. Experiments are now conducted on board the ISS, where special laboratory equipment and experimental procedures are specifically designed for use in space. In addition, flight experiments must fit within physical limits of the spacecraft and its resource constraints. Yet, as many experiments as possible are to be conducted on each mission to achieve maximum scientific return. This chapter reviews the constraints of space life sciences missions and the step-by-step procedures “to fly” an experiment.
Gilles Clément
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
Fundamentals of Space Medicine
Author
Gilles Clément
Copyright Year
2011
Publisher
Springer New York
Electronic ISBN
978-1-4419-9905-4
Print ISBN
978-1-4419-9904-7
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9905-4

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