Aerospace Medicine Objective Know the history of aerospace medicine and human engineering.

Overview Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine Care of Flyers Man and Machine Research on the Fringe of Space

Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine Established in 1918 with the founding of the Army Aviation Medical Research Laboratory at Hazelhurst Field in New York. Research was conducted to support flyers in WW I.

The study of flight physiology started with the balloon ascension of Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier. In 1783 they sent up a hot-air balloon in a demonstration for Louis XVI of France and his court at Versailles. This was an unmanned flight made with a sheep, a rooster, and a duck. The balloon rose to an altitude of 1,500 feet and returned to the Earth with the animals unharmed. Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine

French physicist Jacques Charles made a flight in a hydrogen balloon that floated freely. When he ascended to an altitude of 9,000 feet, he suffered a severe pain in his right ear. He correctly attributed his pain to gas trapped in the middle ear. In about 1787 he defined Charles’s Law: the volume of a gas is directly proportional to the temperature of that gas. Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine

In 1785 the American doctor John Jeffries and French balloonist Jean- Pierre Blanchard became the first to cross the English Channel in hydrogen balloon. However, the journey…. Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine

Coxwell and Glaisher made a flight of special scientific interest in When they reached an altitude of 18,000 feet they became weak because of a lack of oxygen. In total darkness at 29,000 feet they lapsed into unconsciousness. He later regained consciousness and continued to observe his symptoms. Coxwell was finally able to grasp the balloon cord with his teeth and release enough gas to allow the balloon to descend. Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine

The Father of Aviation Medicine-Paul Bert Conducted over 700 experiments with barometric pressure. Proved the principle effects of altitude on the body. Made the first low-pressure altitude chamber. Schools of Aviation Medicine The Signal Corp established an Aeronautical Division in Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine

Care of Flyers The Armed Forces have doctors with special training in the care of flyers. Flight surgeons perform periodic examinations on fliers to evaluate their physical and mental fitness. The flight surgeon is not only concerned about the pilot but also the conditions the pilot finds in the cockpit.

Man and Machine The matching of man and machine is constantly under study by human engineering. Every control and instrument in the aircraft must be developed with regard to the pilots needs. Another area of importance in human engineering is in designing protective equipment for flight.

Research on the Fringe of Space Balloons: In 1931, Auguste Piccard perfected the oxygen-pressure gondola for balloons. In 1935, Captains Anderson and Stevens ascended to 72,395 feet. In 1957 Major Simons ascended to 102,000 feet. In 1959, Captain Kittinger ascended to 102,000 feet and jumped safely to test high altitude parachute procedures Then in 2012…..

Research Aircraft: X-1 The first U.S. rocket aircraft. Chuck Yeager became the first man to fly faster the speed of sound in 1947 Research on the Fringe of Space

Research Aircraft: X-15 The X-15 reached a speed of 4,534 mph and an altitude of 354,200 feet. Several pilots received astronaut ratings. Research on the Fringe of Space

Research Aircraft: X-24B Wingless with a flat undersurface. X-24B research program was conducted with NASA. Altitudes: 70,000 ft at Mach 1.57 Research on the Fringe of Space

Animal Astronauts Mice and other small animals were used for the early experiments. As rockets became more powerful, larger payloads could be sent into space. Before American astronauts were rocketed into space, two chimpanzees (Ham and Enos) were used to test the mercury spacecraft and the flight plan. Research in Space

Summary Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine Care of Flyers Man and Machine Research on the Fringe of Space