Ames Research Center Life Sciences Payload - Overview of results of a spaceflight of 24 rats and 2 monkeysA hardware description and experimental results are reported from the initial STS flight carrying two Research Animal Holding Facility (RAHF) units. The flight was mainly intended for engineering check-out of the RAHF design. The system development and prelaunch preparations are briefly summarized, including the provisions of retrieval teams at alternate landing sites and extensive rehearsals to ensure timely data analysis. The flight revealed a problem with the containment of particulates from the RAHFs and the provision of adequate water for the monkeys. On-board films showed that one of the monkeys experienced motion sickness, from which he recovered after 5 days in space. Necropsy of the subject rats documented suppressed interferon production, loss of muscle mass, an up to 13 percent loss in bone mass (after a one week flight), and a 20 percent decrease in growth-inducing hormone. The volume of data collected is thought to exceed the combined data gathered on all previous U.S. space missions.
Document ID
19860035225
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Callahan, P. X. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Schatte, C. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Grindeland, R. E. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Lencki, W. A. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Funk, G. A. (NASA Ames Research Center; GE Management and Technical Services Co. Moffett Field, CA, United States)