This experiment is carried out over multiple Expeditions requiring six subjects and the utilisation of the Pulmonary Function System and the European-developed MELFI freezer. This experiment can could help to provide insight into the mechanisms behind certain cardiovascular problems on Earth, such as heart failure.
On four occasions over the course of a mission the astronaut will undertake a half-hour protocol of normal and controlled breathing together with a stress test. Cardiac activity, respiration and blood pressure is measured continuously during this activity using Cardioscience equipment on the International Space Station. This is compared to additional data gathered during ground tests where ECG, blood pressure, respiration and ultrasound measurements are taken.
This experiment is a continuation of Cardiocog and will be completed by three additional long-term subjects. This experiment will increase the understanding of orthostatic intolerance (proneness for fainting), a common clinical problem.
Our eyes can rotate around three axes whereas normally only two are used. The name of the coordinate framework which describes the movement of the eyes in the head is called Listing’s plane. This experiment centres on the evaluation of Listing's plane under different gravity conditions using the Eye Tracking Device, which is able to record horizontal, vertical and rotational eye movements and measure head movement.
This experiment requires eight subjects from long-duration missions and eight from short-duration missions. The experiment started during the European DELTA Mission with ESA astronaut André Kuipers in April 2004.
An increased understanding of the coupling between stress and the functioning of the immune system has relevance for people on Earth. This experiment is planned to be carried out over multiple Expedition crews requiring six subjects in total.
Since dust never settles in weightlessness, it is likely that there is an increased exposure of the human airways to inhaled particles in space. The crewmembers will perform a simple inhalation-exhalation procedure on a bi-weekly basis during their stay on the International Space Station.
Elevated levels of expired Nitric Oxide compared to preflight levels would indicate airway inflammation. Data is stored on a credit-card size memory unit. This experiment, which started during Expedition 12, is planned to be carried out over multiple Expedition crews requiring eight subjects.
The Platon device, developed for spaceflight, has a dual use, as it is also used to improve the treatment of asthma by allowing monitoring of patients at home.
In this experiment astronauts perform a simple inhalation-exhalation procedure (as in the NOA 1 protocol) as late as possible before starting standard spacewalk preparations, and again as soon as possible after completing the spacewalk. An increased level of expired Nitric Oxide compared to pre-procedure levels will indicate the presence of gas emboli, suggesting a need for adaptation of existing procedures.
In addition to the European experiment programme in human physiology, Thomas Reiter will take part in two experiments on behalf of NASA.
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