An evaluation of three anti-G suit concepts for shuttle reentry

A study was conducted to compare the standard anti-G launch-entry suit (LES) with a reentry full-coverage anti-G suit (REAGS) and a REAGS without an abdominal bladder (AB). (The inflated AB is the most uncomfortable G-suit component). Intravenous Lasix, a diuretic, was used to induce the fluid loss seen during space flight. Using the Armstrong Laboratory Centrifuge, data collected from seven subjects have shown that less anti-G suit pressure is required to maintain eye-level systolic blood pressure above 70 mmHg when the REAGS or REAGS without AB is worn during simulated shuttle reentry G-profiles when compared to the current LES G-suit. The REAGS without AB was significantly more comfortable than the standard anti-G suit.