Isolation unit helps predict adaptive change

Published: 3/13/2000

The Biomedical Institute has reported that Russian astronauts have taken part in an experiment involving eight months' ground-based isolation, called SFINKSS-99, which is concerned with modelling the work undertaken by astronauts on the International Aerospace Station. Crew members, Vasily Lukanyuk, Vladimir Kartahsin and Anatoly Murashev, all confirmed that they felt well after spending 240 days in a hermetically sealed ground-based module. A further crew member, Haider Hobihozhin is still working in the module. Data gathered from tests on the long-term effects on the human body from space flight suggests that the process of adaptation to a closed environment may be regulated. This latest test showed how potential psychological changes could be forecast, during long term piloted flights. In all, 85 scientific tests were conducted by scientists from nine countries around the world, incorporating 11 stages of medical control. The final results of SFINKSS-99 will be announced when all the data from the tests has been processed.

Article ID: 1668