Metabolic assessments during extra-vehicular activity.

Area of Science:

• Space medicine and human factors engineering.
• Physiology and ergonomics in extreme environments.

Background:

• Extra-vehicular activity (EVA) is crucial for extended space missions, requiring astronauts to perform complex tasks in protective space suits.
• As space station operations increase, optimizing astronaut workload and rest periods through ergonomic evaluation becomes essential for mission success and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate real-time metabolic rates of astronauts during EVA to inform ergonomic optimization of work/rest schedules.
• To develop methods for assessing astronaut productivity and physiological responses during space missions.

Main Methods:

• Estimating oxygen consumption by monitoring pressure changes in oxygen supply bottles.
• Calculating carbon dioxide production based on concentration in the life support system.
• Measuring heat removal by analyzing coolant temperature and flow rates.

Main Results:

• Comparison of metabolic rates with heat removal data allowed for thermal balance determination during EVA on Salyut-6, Salyut-7, and Mir space stations.
• Integrated analysis of metabolism, body temperature, and heat rate facilitated differentiation between emotional and thermal stress.
• Collected data was compiled into a database for effective ergonomic optimization of EVA.

Conclusions:

• Metabolism assessment is a valuable tool for controlling astronaut productivity and optimizing work/rest regimes during EVA.
• Understanding thermal balance and stress components is key for predicting astronaut homeostasis during space missions.
• The developed database serves as an effective resource for improving EVA ergonomics.