PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (S ): 



EXPERIMENT TITLE/NUMBER : 



PROGRAM/MISSION : Mercury 9, MA-9 



CLASSIFICATION : Human 



DISCIPLINE(S) : Environmental health 



OBJECTIVES : To evaluate the effects on the astronaut of approximately one day 

 of orbital flight, to verify that man can function for an extended period in 

 space as a primary operating system of the spacecraft, and to evaluate the 

 combined performance of the astronaut and a Mercury spacecraft specifically 

 modified for the mission. 



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 monitoring system, inflight urine collection 

 device. 



RESULTS : There was no evidence of degradation in the functional integrity of 

 the crewmember as a pilot. Orthostatic hypotension accompanied by an 

 accelerated pulse response and dehydration were found postflight. A reversal 

 of the ratio between neutrophiles and lymphocytes was noted in the peripheral 

 blood at R+4 and continued until R+14. 



CONCLUSIONS : The medical status of the pilot was essentially unchanged 

 between pref light and postflight examinations. No evidence of abnormal 

 sensory, psychiatric, or psychological response to orbital space flight was 

 found. 



PUBLICATIONS : 44, 129, 351 



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