Biomedical aspects of artificial gravity

Abstract

Artificial gravitv generated by spacecraft rotation may prove a universal countermeasure against adverse effects of weightlessness in the future. The paper summarizes the results of ground-based biomedical investigations of artificial gravity and flight experiments aboard Soviet biosatellites Cosmos-782 and Cosmos-936. It is believed that at the present stage the major goal of such investigations is to determine the minimum efficient value of artificial gravity in long-term flights which may eliminate adverse effects of prolonged weightlessness. In ground-bound studies the highest priority should be given to the development of methods on increasing human tolerance to the rotating environment.