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CO2 Accumulation in the Non-Conformal Helmet of the NASA Launch and Entry Suit During Simulated Unaided EgressThe Launch and Entry Suit (LES) has been worn by astronauts since 1988 for Space Shuttle launch and landing. Previous work indicated that carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulation in the LES non-conformal helmet might be high during locomotion while wearing the LES. The purpose of this study was to characterize the inspired CO2%, metabolic requirements, and egress performance during a simulation of an unaided egress from the Space Shuttle in healthy male subjects wearing the LES and walking on a treadmill. With the helmet visor closed, 12 male subjects completed a 6-min seated prebreathe with 100% O2 followed by a 2-min stand and 5 min of walking at 1.56 m/sec (5.6 km/h, 3.5 mph) as a simulation of unaided egress. All subjects walked with four different G-suit pressures (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 psi). After a 10-min recovery, subjects walked 5 min with the same G-suit pressure and helmet visor open for the measurement of metabolic rate (VO2). When G-suit inflation levels were 1.0 or 1.5 psi, only 4 of our 12 healthy, non-micro-gravity exposed subjects completed the unaided egress. Inspired CO2 levels greater than 4% were routinely observed during walking. The metabolic cost at the 1.5 psi G-suit inflation was over 135% of the metabolic cost at 0.0 psi inflation. During unaided egress, G-suit inflation pressures of 1.0 (required inflation for missions greater than 11 days) and 1.5 psi resulted in elevated CO2 in the LES helmet and increased metabolic cost of walking, either of which could impact unaided egress by returning space flight crews.
Document ID
20000020594
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Greenisen, M. C.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX United States)
Bishop, P. A.
(Alabama Univ. Tuscaloosa, AL United States)
Lee, S. M. C.
(Wyle Labs., Inc. Houston, TX United States)
Moore, A.
(Wyle Labs., Inc. Houston, TX United States)
Williams, J.
(Wyle Labs., Inc. Houston, TX United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: Proceedings of the First Biennial Space Biomedical Investigators' Workshop
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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