Opportunities for Life-Sciences Research in Commercial Suborbital Space Flight

Mark Shelhamer, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine(Suborbital Applications Researchers Group,

Commercial Spaceflight Federation)

Life-sciences research areasLife-sciences research areas1.1. Medical operations and human factorsMedical operations and human factors

• Flight testing and qualification, procedures and hardwareFlight testing and qualification, procedures and hardware• In-flight surgery, equipment trainingIn-flight surgery, equipment training

2.2. BioastronauticsBioastronautics• Applied research, relevant to NASA exploration missionsApplied research, relevant to NASA exploration missions• Effects of g transitions on physiology & performanceEffects of g transitions on physiology & performance

3.3. Operational research for passengers/crewOperational research for passengers/crew• Keeping passengers safe & comfortable (wide range of Keeping passengers safe & comfortable (wide range of

health & fitness levels)health & fitness levels)• Motion sickness, vertigo, latent balance problemsMotion sickness, vertigo, latent balance problems• Possible cardiovascular, psychological effectsPossible cardiovascular, psychological effects

4.4. Basic research relevant to terrestrial health and functionBasic research relevant to terrestrial health and function• Role of gravity in biasing vestibular sensorsRole of gravity in biasing vestibular sensors• Reference frames for sensorimotor functionReference frames for sensorimotor function

Unique opportunities provided Unique opportunities provided by suborbital flightby suborbital flight

• Large, diverse passenger base (study effects of gender, age, fitness, etc.) • Researchers can fly as subjects and operators• Frequent flyers allow for repeated testing to assess adaptation

• Fewer constraints on payloads – rapid access, easier logistical burden• Access to g transition• Ability to launch in sync with circadian rhythms, other time points• Rapid access to subjects/samples before and after flight

• Study process with time constants between parabolic flight and orbital flight• Vestibular & sensorimotor, deposition of particulates in lungs• Acute cellular responses, fertilization and early development in 0g

Operational ResearchOperational ResearchHow to improve the customer experienceHow to improve the customer experience

Precedent: parabolic flight [Vomit Comet]Precedent: parabolic flight [Vomit Comet] About 50% of first-time flyers are sickAbout 50% of first-time flyers are sick Adaptation is rapid (1-3 flights)Adaptation is rapid (1-3 flights)

NeurovestibularNeurovestibular Migraine: ~25% of population, ~20% dizziness component (motion sensitivity)Migraine: ~25% of population, ~20% dizziness component (motion sensitivity) Benign positional vertigo: BPPVBenign positional vertigo: BPPV Mal de debarquement: disembarkment syndromeMal de debarquement: disembarkment syndrome Screening, detection of undiagnosed vestibular disorders, pre-adaptationScreening, detection of undiagnosed vestibular disorders, pre-adaptation

CardiovascularCardiovascular Dramatic autonomic stimulusDramatic autonomic stimulus Screening, trainingScreening, training

PsychologicalPsychological Identification of key sensory stimuli that might lead to anxiety/discomfort (noise, Identification of key sensory stimuli that might lead to anxiety/discomfort (noise,

vibration)vibration) Screening, pre-flight habituationScreening, pre-flight habituation

Problem equalizing pressure during rapid changesProblem equalizing pressure during rapid changes Glaucoma and other g/pressure effects on eyeGlaucoma and other g/pressure effects on eye Intra-cranial pressure changesIntra-cranial pressure changes Possible radiation effects on repeat flyersPossible radiation effects on repeat flyers

Basic ResearchBasic ResearchUse of altered g-level to investigateUse of altered g-level to investigate

biomedical processesbiomedical processes Basic-research issuesBasic-research issues

Neurovestibular – role of otolith organs (VEMPS, pitch Neurovestibular – role of otolith organs (VEMPS, pitch VOR)VOR)

Role of gravity in orientation perception – external and Role of gravity in orientation perception – external and internalinternal

Motor control and the role of gravityMotor control and the role of gravity Gas mixing in lungGas mixing in lung Baroreceptors – initial vasodilation in 0g – cortical and Baroreceptors – initial vasodilation in 0g – cortical and

blood-pressure effectsblood-pressure effects Effects on immune system function – immediate Effects on immune system function – immediate

leukocyte effectsleukocyte effects Stress hormone secretionStress hormone secretion