BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF VARIOUS SPACE CABIN ATMOSPHERES.
Abstract
By means of a specially designed closed system, the physiological consequences of exposure to several possible spacecraft atmospheres were evaluated. Each atmosphere contained oxygen at a partial pressure of 180 mm Hg. Rabbits and rats were exposed at 1 atm. abs. for one week each to atmospheres containing nitrogen, helium, argon or neon; and to pure oxygen at 200 mm Hg. In addition rats were exposed at a total pressure of 474 mm Hg to atmospheres containing nitrogen, helium or neon. Metabolic rates were increased in the animals exposed to helium-oxygen at sea level, and reduced in those exposed to the low pressure pure oxygen environment. Rabbits sustained a significant loss of hemoglobin (9%) and red blood cells during their exposure to helium-oxygen. These responses are consistent with the thermal characteristics of the several gaseous environments. Six rats from each sea-level group were decompressed to 100 mm Hg. Rats exposed to argon sustained the most severe symptoms of decompression sickness, nitrogen produced less damage, while animals exposed to helium or neon were free of serious symptoms. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0489922
Entities
People
- Carl H. Nuermberger
- Gerald F. Doebbler
- Heinz R. Schreiner
- Robert W. Hamilton