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Tumbling and spaceflight: the Gemini VIII experience.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|January 1, 1990
Summary
A Gemini VIII thruster malfunction caused dangerous tumbling, affecting astronaut oculo-vestibular and eye-hand coordination. NASA implemented wiring changes and suggests future spacecraft have fault displays and automatic cutoffs.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Human Physiology
- Spaceflight Operations
Background:
- A malfunctioning orbital flight attitude thruster on Gemini VIII induced severe axial tumbling.
- This event posed significant risks to astronaut oculo-vestibular function and eye-hand coordination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the physiological effects of uncontrolled spacecraft tumbling on astronauts.
- To identify necessary corrective actions for the thruster malfunction and propose future safety enhancements.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of flight recorder data detailing acceleration forces (Gy, Gz) and duration.
- Review of astronaut physiological responses, including vertigo and coordination impairment.
Main Results:
- The spacecraft reached an axial tumbling rotation of 50 rpm.
- Astronauts experienced vertigo and physiological effects from approximately 46 seconds of tumbling.
- Recorded acceleration forces included +/- 0.92 G-units in the y-axis and -0.89 G-units in the z-axis (upper body).
Conclusions:
- Immediate corrective action by the commander prevented astronaut incapacitation.
- NASA resolved the issue by modifying the thruster ignition system wiring.
- Future long-duration missions should incorporate unambiguous thruster fault displays and automatic cutoff systems.
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