A mass measuring device for use with biological specimens in zero-gravity environment

Gardner, M. S.; Dimeff, J.; Ogden, Eric

doi:10.1007/bf02551730

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Natural frequency of oscillation [1][2][3]. The measuring mass is oscillated and the oscillation frequency or the time period of each oscillation is measured.…”

Section: Mass Measurement Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Astronaut mass measurement using linear acceleration method and the effect of body non-rigidity

Yan

et al. 2011

Sci. China Phys. Mech. Astron.

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Astronaut's body mass is an essential factor of health monitoring in space. The latest mass measurement device for the International Space Station (ISS) has employed a linear acceleration method. The principle of this method is that the device generates a constant pulling force, and the astronaut is accelerated on a parallelogram motion guide which rotates at a large radius to achieve a nearly linear trajectory. The acceleration is calculated by regression analysis of the displacement versus time trajectory and the body mass is calculated by using the formula m=F/a. However, in actual flight, the device is instable that the deviation between runs could be 6-7 kg. This paper considers the body non-rigidity as the major cause of error and instability and analyzes the effects of body non-rigidity from different aspects. Body non-rigidity makes the acceleration of the center of mass (C.M.) oscillate and fall behind the point where force is applied. Actual acceleration curves showed that the overall effect of body non-rigidity is an oscillation at about 7 Hz and a deviation of about 25%. To enhance body rigidity, better body restraints were introduced and a prototype based on linear acceleration method was built. Measurement experiment was carried out on ground on an air table. Three human subjects weighing 60-70 kg were measured. The average variance was 0.04 kg and the average measurement error was 0.4%. This study will provide reference for future development of China's own mass measurement device. astronaut, mass measurement, linear acceleration, body non-rigidity PACS: 06.30.Dr, 07.90.+c, 87.65.+y Among the fundamental physical quantities, such as time, mass, temperature, and length, mass is probably the only quantity that is unmeasurable in space using conventional methods. As human beings are staying longer and longer in space, measuring mass in the microgravity environment, especially the human body mass, is in great need because body mass is a fundamental index for human health care. Astronauts suffer body mass loss in space due to loss of water, muscle, and nutrition, and too much mass loss over time or a sudden change in body mass implies a possible illness of astronauts. And also, measuring body mass in microgravity provides valuable data for microgravity life science research, such as the study of microgravity effect on human metabolism and bone loss.

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“…Natural frequency of oscillation [1][2][3]. The measuring mass is oscillated and the oscillation frequency or the time period of each oscillation is measured.…”

Section: Mass Measurement Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Astronaut mass measurement using linear acceleration method and the effect of body non-rigidity

Yan

et al. 2011

Sci. China Phys. Mech. Astron.

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A compact body mass measuring device for space flight applications

Pistecky

Beek

Klinkhamer³

et al. 1992

Advances in Space Research

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A weighing device for use on a ship

Kessling¹,

Birnbacher²,

Berg³

1993

Meas. Sci. Technol.

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Marine research is becoming increasingly important. Weighing of substances is, of course, one of the most common needs for experimental scientific work. Balances of normal design for the use on the mainland depend on the constancy of the acceleration due to gravity, but the movements of a ship will generally produce varying accelerations. In the approach presented here two balances are used: one carries a fixed load and measures the momentary acting accelerations, the other has the unknown mass that is to be determined. The experimental set-up, the computer program and possible error sources are described. The total accuracy of the experimental set-up, as tested with cruises on a ship, was found to be similar to the accuracy of the balance on the mainland.

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A mass measuring device for use with biological specimens in zero-gravity environment

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Astronaut mass measurement using linear acceleration method and the effect of body non-rigidity

Astronaut mass measurement using linear acceleration method and the effect of body non-rigidity

A compact body mass measuring device for space flight applications

A weighing device for use on a ship

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