Matthias Maurer in the :envihab at the short-arm human centrifuge with Guido Petrat (left) and Timo Frett (right) from the centrifuge team at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine. © DLR: All rights reserved.
28 September 2021
Shortly before his departure to the USA for his final training sessions, ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer paid another visit to the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine. He took the opportunity to learn about the current studies at the short-arm human centrifuge in the aerospace medicine research facility.
At the Institute, preparations for the experiments Matthias Maurer will conduct on the ISS are in full swing. During his Cosmic Kiss mission, Maurer is also working on experiments from the fields of medicine and biology, including a technology experiment on eye health: "Retinal Diagnostics" is about the fact that astronauts' eyes can change during weightlessness. In order to research the reasons and possible countermeasures for prevention, Maurer's optic nerve head is recorded by his colleague via video using a lens attached to an iPad. In this way, changes can be tracked, but also the success of countermeasures used can be determined. Solving this problem is of crucial importance for future moon and Mars missions, but also for terrestrial ophthalmology. This experiment was developed from research at the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Cologne, is supported by Technology Marketing and is also significant for neurological emergency medicine on Earth.
In the "Touching Surfaces" experiment, materials are tested with regard to their antimicrobial properties. Long-term stays in a space station mean that the microorganisms of each astronaut who travels with them also develop their own microflora. This can have an impact on the health of the astronauts, especially if their composition changes under the conditions of space flight. In addition, biofilms can lead to material damage. Therefore, there is a need to develop concepts for cabin hygiene. In order to test his own microflora and their changes on the ISS, Maurer will touch various surfaces in a test kit several times during his mission on the ISS. On Earth, the surfaces will then be examined microbiologically and in terms of material science. The results will help to develop antimicrobial contact surfaces in the future and counteract the spread of germs and biofilms. Apart from astronautical space travel, such surfaces can then also be used in public facilities and means of transport, hospitals or rooms in the food industry. This experiment was also developed by the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Cologne.
In addition to the ISS experiments, a new bed rest study commissioned by NASA is currently underway at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine: While Matthias Maurer is experiencing and researching the effects of weightlessness on his own body on the ISS, an analogous experiment is running on Earth in the :envihab, in which 12 test subjects are working as "earthly astronauts" for space medicine, without ever leaving Cologne. For 30 days, they lie in bed with their heads down in a 6-degree head-down position. This model is used to simulate some of the effects of weightlessness. It can be used to research measures against the negative effects on the body, so that they can later be used in space, depending on the results. In the SANS-CM study, the eyes in particular are now being examined, since many astronauts suffer from impaired eye structure and function due to the changed volume and pressure conditions in the head and neck. In the SANS-CM study, potential countermeasures are systematically investigated, for example with daily negative pressure applied to the lower body over several hours.
Lower body negative pressure chamber as a countermeasure in the SANS-CM bed rest study. © DLR: All rights reserved.
The Institute of Aerospace Medicine at DLR is conducting the study on behalf of NASA and is investigating various neurophysiological, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, psychological, ophthalmological and metabolic research questions related to human adaptation in space. These results may also provide answers to terrestrial medical challenges such as immobilisation-related diseases or management of treatment or countermeasures.
“Earthly astronauts” are still being sought for the next campaign of the SANS study. Those interested can contact us here:
Currently looking for test subjects for 2nd campaign of the NASA Bed Rest Study: countermeasures to visual disturbances and neurological changes after stays in space. (German speaking applicants only).
Further information: Kick-off for 'Cosmic Kiss' Institute of Aerospace Medicine's Cosmic Kiss experiments on the ISS