PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (S ): 



EXPERIMENT TITLE/NUMBER : 



PROGRAM/MISSION : Mercury 8, MA-8 



CLASSIFICATION : Human 



DISCIPLINE(S) : Environmental health 



OBJECTIVES : To evaluate the performance of the man-spacecraft system in a 

 six-pass orbital mission, to evaluate the effects of an extended orbital space 

 flight on the astronaut and to compare this analysis with those of previous 

 missions and astronaut-simulator programs and to obtain additional astronaut 

 evaluation of the operational suitability of the spacecraft and support 

 systems . 



PROTOCOL : Pre- and postflight physical examinations were performed which 

 included routine and special laboratory tests, X-rays, electrocardiography, 

 electroencephalography, the modified caloric test, radiation dosimetry, 

 retinal photography, biochemical and plasma enzyme studies. 



EQUIPMENT : Two sets of EKG leads, rectal temperature thermistor, impedance 

 pneumograph, blood pressure measuring system, inflight urine collection 

 device . 



RESULTS : An orthostatic rise in heart rate, fall in systolic blood pressure, 

 and maintenance of the diastolic pressure was noted during R+24 hour 

 examinations. Lability of instantaneous heart rate was found and was not 

 associated with respiration or other known physical activity. Radiation 

 exposure was minimal and posed no hazard to flight. The inflight orientation 

 test demonstrated no impairment of performance. 



CONCLUSIONS : There was no evidence of disorientation or related untoward 

 symptoms. There were no significant medical abnormalities nor medical 

 contraindications to embarking on a longer mission. 



PUBLICATIONS : 43, 351 



93 



