DEVELOPMENT AND TEST OF A PROTOTYPE ADVANCED BIOMEDICAL SYSTEM.
Abstract
The development and ground test of a non-flyable, functional prototype life-support system was undertaken. The system was designed to support a 50-pound chimpanzee, or the metabolic equivalent, for 30 days (with a safety factor of at least 3 - to make 90 days) in simulated orbit. The system consisted of a sealed life cell for housing the test specimen and his metabolic support equipment plus a service module for supporting both the life cell and its environmental control system (ECS). The ECS was designed to maintain a sea-level pressure, oxygen-nitrogen environment within the life cell. Following a shakedown test to prove out the hardware without a test subject, a test series, with animals, was initiated. The test objectives were (1) to obtain engineering data for a future Bioastronautics Flight Research Program, (2) to ascertain the psycho-physiological effects of prolonged confinement in a micro-atmosphere on the test subjects, and (3) to acquire baseline data relative to atmospheric contaminants in the environment for the time in question. A total of 25 days of animal testing was achieved in an altitude and temperature controlled chamber using four different animals. Medical problems with the animals prevented reaching the 30-day goal with a single specimen. However, the ECS operated continuously for the full 30 days without malfunction, and the life-support system successfully demonstrated its adaptability to a flight program. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0633063
Entities
People
- J. B. Taffe
- S. A. Hall
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space