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Suiting up for Neurolab

I have attached some digital photos of the FD 15 simulation. For each snapshot on this page, there is a larger version you can see by clicking on the picture.

The first three are from the ALFE (astronaut lung function experiment). This experiment is part of the sleep team and is designed to evaluate how respiration changes in space. In particular, the experiment is designed to evaluate the neuronal control of ventilation in response to high levels of carbon dioxide as well as low levels of oxygen. Normally both of these stimuli will cause an increase in respiratory rate. I am particularly proud of my RIP (respiratory impedance plethysmography) suit - the black suit that I am wearing in the photo. This allows the investigators to determine the movement of my chest and abdomen while breathing. There are a number of other sensors that I have to wear on my left hand to record the amount of oxygen in my blood and my blood pressure.

There is also a shot of me working in the general purpose work station, essentially a glove box to allow us to perform the animal experiments in a contained environment.

The kinelite, or catching, experiment is designed to look at how catching (representative of a stored complex motor response) changes in microgravity. The electrodes that I am wearing on my right arm allow recording of the muscle activity before and during the catching activity. I am also wearing a number of reflectors on my right arm, leg, and head so that the position of my body can be analyzed as well.