Can centrifugation at increased G be used to predict results of 0G?
Can physiologic research on the effects of weightlessness be conducted using a centrifuge providing an increased G environment? The answer to this question, if affirmative can have extraordinary implications regarding physiologic research in space that now begs the answer to the more general and basic question, what is the 'best environment' to differentiate the biological effects of mass from weight? In considering the best environment, there are several important factors in support of conducting human and animal physiologic 'gravitational' research on centrifuges here on Earth. Increased G research using a centrifuge can be conducted for a small fraction of the cost of research in space. It can be made available to more scientists as the number of centrifuges for this type of research increases. There are far less-detailed and therefore much easier preparation requirements for animal and human studies on a centrifuge compared with space research.
Burton
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RR
Air Force Research Laboratory, Brooks AFB, TX 78213, USA.
Smith
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AH
D000054:Acceleration; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D002498:Centrifugation; D002645:Chickens; D006112:Gravitation; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology; D018474:Weightlessness Simulation / Q000379:methods*