Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of the Dr. William Thornton’s Skylab BMMD

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Microgravity Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The characteristics of a pre-flight model of the Skylab BMMD (Body Mass Measurement Device), which was made around 1970 by the team led by Dr. William Thornton, are accurately evaluated using an optical interferometer on ground. The calibration of the BMMD is conducted using metal block weights in the range of the total mass of 4.134 kg to 100.131 kg, in which the RMS value of the differences between the regression line and the calibrated values are 0.018 kg. Using this calibration result, the BMMD estimates the masse values of human subjects in the range of 33.16 kg to 95.79 kg with the standard uncertainty of 0.21 kg, which corresponds to 0.2% of the maximum value of the mass of the human subjects. It is found that the oscillation of BMMD seat is disturbed even with quiet breathing of the subject human. This is considered to be caused by the relative change of the center of mass of the human body due to the movement of internal organs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bradamante, S., Rivero, D., Barenghi, L., et al.: SCD – stem cell differentiation toward osteoblast onboard the international Space Station. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 30, 713–729 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, M., Charles, J.: Dr. William Thornton and the Development of the Mass Measurement Device for Spaceflight. Aerosp. Med. and Hum. Perform. 90, 6 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujii, Y., Fujimoto, H., Namioka, S.: Mass measurement under weightless conditions. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 70, 111–113 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fujii, Y., Shimada, K., Maru, K.: Instrument for measuring the body mass of astronauts under microgravity conditions. Microgravity Sci. and Technol. 22, 115–121 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ivanova, K., Eiermann, P., Tsiockas, W., et al.: Differential regulation of cGMP signaling in human melanoma cells at altered gravity: simulated microgravity Down-regulates cancer-related gene expression and motility. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 30, 457–467 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okoro, E., Mann, V., Ellis, I., et al.: Immune modulation in Normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (lymphocytes) in response to Benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid derivative KMEG during spaceflight. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 29, 331–336 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritzmann, R., Krause, A., Freyler, K., et al.: Gravity and neuronal adaptation. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 29, 9–18 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivetti, A., Martini, G., Alasia, F., Piana, G., Gatti, L.: BIC 3, the latest inertial centrifugal balance for mass measurement in weightless conditions. Microgravity Sci. and Technol. 20, 7–15 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarychev, V.A., et al.: Measurement of mass under weightless condition. KOSM. ISSLED (USSR). 18, 536–549 (1980) (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D.C., Kaufman, K.A.: Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device (THE SLAMMD) for the Human Research Facility (HRF). SAE Technical Papers. 981652 (1998)

  • Sundaresan, A., Mehta, S.K., Schlegel, T.T., et al.: Placental growth factor levels in populations with high versus low risk for cardiovascular disease and stressful physiological environments such as microgravity: a pilot study. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 29, 145–149 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thornton, W., Ord, J.: pecimen mass measurement. NASA Tech. Rep. N74–N11867 (1974)

  • Thornton, W., Ord, J.: Physiological mass measurements on Skylab 1/2 and 1/3. Acta Astronautica. 2, 103–113 (1975)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, H., Wang, H., Li, D., et al.: Evaluation of the human thermal comfort under simulated weightlessness: an experimental study based on the power Spectrum analysis of the heart rate variability. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 31, 9–18 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Master-course students of Gunma University, who helped in the experiment, especially Mr. K. Suzuki and K. Nakaya.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Science and Technology, Gunma University, Gunma, 276-8515, Japan

    Yusaku Fujii & Akihiro Takita

  2. TSUKUBA KOKEN, Ibaraki, 305-0032, Japan

    Kazuhito Shimada

  3. NASA Astronaut, Houston, USA

    William Thornton

Authors
  1. Yusaku Fujii
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kazuhito Shimada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Akihiro Takita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. William Thornton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yusaku Fujii.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fujii, Y., Shimada, K., Takita, A. et al. Evaluation of the Dr. William Thornton’s Skylab BMMD. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 32, 275–280 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-019-09762-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-019-09762-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation