P RINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S ): Peter Kellaway, and Robert L. Maulsby 



EXPERIMENT TITLE/NUMBER : Analysis of Inflight Sleep, M008 



PROGRAM/MISSION : Gemini 7 



CLASSIFICATION : Human 



DISCIPLINE(S) : Neurosensory, Behavioral science 



OBJECTIVES : To obtain an objective evaluation of the pilot's sleep pattern in 

 order to discover any deviation from patterns recorded on earth, to assist in 

 revealing factors which may interfere with sleep in orbit, and to determine 

 the effects of weightlessness on the electrical activity of the brain. 



PROTOCOL : Two channels of EEG data were recorded on a tape recorder from 

 electrodes attached to the scalp. Transistorized signal conditioners were 

 worn in pockets of the astronaut's underwear. 



EQUIPMENT : EEG electrodes, recording system consisting of two miniature 

 transistorized amplifiers, and a small magnetic tape recorder. 



RESULTS : Normal sleep patterns changed, mainly as a result of staggered sleep 

 periods, alterations from pref light diurnal cycles, and cyclical cabin noise. 

 The first sleep period was inadequate in terms of length and depth of sleep. 

 The second was adequate but may have been so because of fatigue from sleep 

 loss in the first period. 



CONCLUSIONS : This experiment demonstrated the feasibility of monitoring an 

 EEG during spaceflight. It was of good quality and was recorded for a 

 relatively long period of time. No abnormalities were revealed and there were 

 no obvious changes attributable to weightlessness. Orbital flight appears to 

 have no deleterious effect on the activity of the brain. 



PUBLICATIONS : 309, 310, 311, 312 



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