TheTreadmill with Vibration Isolation Stabilization System,commonly abbreviated asTVIS,is atreadmillfor use on board theInternational Space Stationand is designed to allow astronauts to run without vibrating delicate microgravity science experiments in adjacent labs. International Space Station treadmills, not necessarily described here, have included the original treadmill, the original TVIS, the BD-2 (БД-2), theCombined Operational Load-Bearing External Resistance Treadmill(COLBERT), and theTreadmill 2(abbreviated asT2). Some share a name, some a design, some a function, some use different (passive) vibration-suppression systems, some it is unclear how they differ.
The name for the treadmill (COLBERT) came about due to a naming contest that NASA held for what became theTranquility module.Comedian and TV personalityStephen Colbertused his showThe Colbert Reportto encourage his viewers to write in votes to use "Colbert" during the contest. After the results of the contest were announced, NASA decided to use Colbert's name for the new treadmill in place of naming theTranquility moduleafter him.[1]
Exercise
editFollowing the advent ofspace stationsthat can be inhabited for long periods of time, exposure to weightlessness has been demonstrated to have some deleterious effects on human health. Humans are well-adapted to the physical conditions at the surface of the Earth. In response to an extended period of weightlessness, various physiological systems begin to change and atrophy. Though these changes are usually temporary, long-term health issues can result.
The most common problem experienced by humans in the initial hours of weightlessness is known asspace adaptation syndromeor SAS, commonly referred to as space sickness. Symptoms of SAS includenauseaandvomiting,vertigo,headaches,lethargy,and overall malaise. The first case of SAS was reported bycosmonautGherman Titovin 1961. Since then, roughly some 45%[citation needed]to 75% of all people who have flown in space have suffered from this condition.[2]The duration of space sickness varies, but in no case has it lasted for more than 72 hours, after which the body adjusts to the new environment.
The most significant adverse effects of long-term weightlessness aremuscle atrophyand deterioration of theskeleton,orspaceflight osteopenia.These effects can be minimized through a regimen of exercise. Other significant effects include fluid redistribution, a slowing of thecardiovascular system,decreased production ofred blood cells,balance disorders, and a weakening of theimmune system.Lesser symptoms include loss of body mass, nasal congestion, sleep disturbance, excessflatulence,and puffiness of the face. These effects begin to reverse quickly upon return to the Earth.
To prevent some of the effects associated with weightlessness, a treadmill with vibration isolation and stabilization designed for the International Space Station (ISS) was first evaluated duringSTS-81.Three crew members ran and walked on the device, which floats freely in themicro-gravityexperienced during orbit. For the majority of the more than 2 hours of locomotion studied, the treadmill operated well, and vibration transmitted to the vehicle was within the micro-gravity allocation limits that are defined for theISS.Refinements to the treadmill and harness system, which ultimately led to development of the COLBERT model, were studied after this first flight. One goal of the treadmill design is to offer the possibility of generating1 g-like loads on the lower extremities while preserving the micro-gravity environment of the ISS for structural safety and vibration free experimental conditions.[3]
The treadmills are intended to help astronauts stay fit, fighting off the bone loss (spaceflight osteopenia) and muscle decay that otherwise comes with space travel. Astronauts use bungee cords to strap themselves to the treadmill in order to remain in contact with the equipment while inmicro-gravity.[4]Researchers believe that exercise is a good countermeasure for the bone and muscle density loss that occurs when humans live for a long time without gravity.[5]
Maintenance
editThe original Treadmill with Vibration Isolation Stabilization (TVIS) that was recessed into the floor of theZvezda Service Modulewas decommissioned in June 2013, disposed of on theRussian Progress (50P)in July 2013 and replaced by the Russian БД-2.
Expedition 20flight engineersMichael BarrattandKoichi Wakatahave performed a complete overhaul of that treadmill to extend its life. Both treadmills will continue to be used, which will nearly double the availability of these critical work-out devices for space station crews.
Treadmill with Vibration Isolation Stabilization system (TVIS) also required repair in 2002, duringExpedition 5whileSTS-112was docked.Valery Korzunspent an entire day performing maintenance on the unit.[6]
A design flaw with the COLBERT power system was discovered in September 2010,[7]within 10 months of being commissioned. A multiple day IFM was required in October in order to remove COLBERT from its rack and replace key power components.
Naming COLBERT
edit
In early 2009,NASAheld an online poll to name what became theTranquility module.On the 3 March 2009 episode ofThe Colbert Report,hostStephen Colbertinstructed his viewers to suggest "Colbert" as the name for Node 3 in the online poll.[8]On 23 March 2009, it was announced that "Colbert" had garnered the most votes, but NASA did not immediately commit to using the name.
CongressmanChaka Fattahhad pledged to use congressional power to ensure that democratic voting is honored in outer space as well as on planet Earth, in response to the possibility that NASA would overrule the voting.[9]On the 14 April 2009 episode ofThe Colbert Report,astronautSunita Williamsappeared on the show to announce that NASA decided to name the node 3 "Tranquility", the eighth most popular response in the census, and announced that they would name a newtreadmillon the station after the comedian – Combined Operational Load-Bearing External Resistance Treadmill (COLBERT). Colbert was invited to Houston to test the treadmill, and later to Florida for its launch.[10]The treadmill was taken to the ISS in August 2009, aboardSTS-128[11]and was installed in the Tranquility module after the node arrived at the station in February 2010.[12]
NASA poked fun at itself in a humorous press release included in theSTS-128flight day 6 execute package report which claimed thatJon Stewartdemanded to be honored similarly but turned down the agency's offer to name the ISS Urine Processor "Space Toilet Environmental Waste Accumulator/Recycling Thingy" (STEWART).[13]
Development
edit
NASA Engineers started development with a Woodway medical treadmill design which is available to anyone on Earth, and they asked Woodway to nickel plate the parts and make some other modifications, but it is fundamentally the same running-in-place device as the commercially available model. The structures which support the treadmill have been adapted for use in space. Without gravity to hold the runner to the surface of the treadmill, designers added elastic straps that fit around the shoulders and waist in order to keep the runner from rocketing across the space station with the first hard step. Designers also had to work out a way to keep the treadmill from shaking the whole station with every step. Preventing vibrations is relatively easy to do on Earth, but the station is floating just like the astronauts are, and it wants to react against any movement that is made inside of it. Even small actions can shake up delicate microgravity experiments taking place inside the station's laboratories. Developing a system to stop the vibrations was the biggest challenge, Wiederhoeft said.[14]
The first station treadmill, which was brought to the Space Station aboardSTS-98,[15]relied on a powered system of gyroscopes and mechanisms to reduce vibrations. COLBERT's Vibration Isolation System was designed to work without power, and also to be more reliable than its predecessor. COLBERT will rest on springs that are hooked to dampers, which are then connected to a standard-sized rack that has been extensively reinforced in order to handle the power produced by COLBERT users. The rack alone weighs 2,200 pounds, which is its contractual design limit, and is also louder than the first treadmill which is a trade-off Wiederhoeft said is necessary to increase its reliability. "Noise and reliability are fighting against each other here," Wiederhoeft said. "With a lot more time we could have had both quiet and reliable. We went for reliable, and did what we could with noise."[14]
Development of the treadmills was also utilized in order to further development of commercial products. Possible secondary effects of development include improved vibration and acoustic isolation applications in sensitive equipment such as equipment used inoptical,microelectronicandprecision manufacturing.[16]
COLBERT delivery
editThis section needs to beupdated.(March 2016) |
A team of engineers was required in order to prepare COLBERT to survive the rigorous vibrations of the launch process. COLBERT had to be disassembled into scores of parts, separated into more than six bags and strapped to racks inside theLeonardocargo module,which flew to theInternational Space StationaboardSTS-128.[14]COLBERT was delivered to the Space Station in 2010, and resided first inside theHarmony module,before later being moved to theTranquility module.
The packing team set out to make sure everything that is launched reaches the station in good working order. "If it's the COLBERT, or if it's something else, it's still not going to be useful in orbit if it's broken," saidPete Gauthier,packing engineer forUnited Space Alliance."The difference with something like this is that it's big and it's heavy, so we have to use our biggest bag," he said. "It's easier for the crew if you have all the pieces in one bag, but when you have six bags, you just can't do that." The astronauts on the station are expected to spend about 20 hours putting the whole thing together, including the vibration system. After assembly, the only care COLBERT should need is an occasional greasing of its bearings.[14]
References
edit- ^"Colbert tops poll to name NASA space module".CNN.24 March 2009.Retrieved15 September2009.
- ^Roach, Mary(2010). "Chapter 6: Throwing up and Down".Packing for Mars.Oneworld. p. 94.ISBN978-1-85168-780-0.
- ^McCrory JL; Lemmon DR; Sommer HJ; Prout B; Smith D; Korth DW; Lucero J; Greenisen M; Moore J; Kozlovskaya, I; Cavanagh PR; et al. (August 1999). "Evaluation of a Treadmill with Vibration Isolation and Stabilization (TVIS) for use on the International Space Station".Journal of Applied Biomechanics.15(3).Pennsylvania State University:292–302.doi:10.1123/jab.15.3.292.PMID11541844.
- ^Foster, Andrea (16 June 2009)."Bungee Cords Keep Astronauts Grounded While Running".NASA.Retrieved23 August2009.
- ^Kauderer, Amiko (19 August 2009)."Do Tread on Me".NASA.Retrieved23 August2009.
- ^Harwood, William (26 September 2002)."Radiator deploy, treadmill repair and a final spacewalk".Spaceflight Now.Retrieved29 August2009.
- ^Bergin, Chris (3 October 2010)."ISS updates failure investigations and future configuration challenges".NASASpaceFlight.com.Retrieved14 December2023.
- ^"Name the NASA Module After Stephen".colbertnation.com. 3 March 2008.Retrieved4 March2008.
- ^Mark, Roy (26 March 2009)."Lawmaker Backs Stephen Colbert's NASA Win".EWeek.Retrieved23 August2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^Coyle, Jake (14 April 2009)."NASA names treadmill after Colbert".San Francisco Chronicle.Archived fromthe originalon 18 April 2009.Retrieved23 August2009.
- ^Malik, Tariq (19 August 2009)."Space Shuttle Discovery to Launch 25 Aug".Space.com.Retrieved23 August2009.
- ^Atkinson, Nancy (14 April 2009)."COLBERT on the ISS".Universe Today.Archived fromthe originalon 18 April 2009.Retrieved23 August2009.
- ^"Colbert Elated, Stewart Miffed"(PDF).STS-128/17A FD 06 Execute Package.NASA.Retrieved4 September2009.
- ^abcdRyba, Jeanne (5 May 2009)."COLBERT Ready for Serious Exercise".NASA.Retrieved29 August2009.
- ^"Treadmill Vibration Isolation and Stabilization System – RME 1318"(Press release).NASA.7 July 1999.Retrieved29 August2009.
- ^"Vibration Isolation of Exercise Treadmill in Microgravity".SIBR.NASA.12 January 2005.Retrieved29 August2009.
External links
edit
- "Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill (COLBERT)"(PDF)(Press release).NASA.20 August 2009. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 17 July 2011.Retrieved29 August2009.