European Physiology Modules
Encyclopedia
The European Physiology Module (EPM) is an International Standard Payload Rack
for the Columbus Laboratory
on board the International Space Station
. The EPM rack was built by OHB-System
in Bremen.
The EPM enables a better understanding of the effects of space flight on the human body. Research typically includes neuroscientific, cardiovascular, and physiological studies and investigations of metabolic processes.
The EPM performs physiological and biomedical tests and transmits the data to Earth for further analysis. The resulting data will provide insight into the human body's processes in a microgravity environment.
The EPM provides equipment for the study of the human body, including three science modules: two active modules, CARDIOLAB and MEEMM, and one module (sample collection kit, or SCK) that includes equipment to enable collection of biological samples (blood, urine, and saliva).
The European Physiology Module is a double-rack multi-user facility that supports investigations of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, hormonal and body fluid shift, bone demineralization and neuroscience. The facility is based on a modular design concept to support diverse experiments. Human physiology
experiments are aimed primarily at increasing our knowledge of how the human body reacts to long-duration weightlessness. However, this area of research also contributes to an increased understanding of terrestrial problems such as the ageing process, osteoporosis
, balance disorder
s, and muscle wasting. Typical research areas include:
To correctly evaluate the on-board data, it is essential that reference (or baseline) data are collected prior to flight and following the return of the crew-members to Earth. For this reason, the EPM facility will provide a Baseline Data Collection Model (BDCM) system that includes functional copies of the on-board instruments. The BDCM will be readily transportable to ensure availability of the equipment for the pre-flight, launch and post-flight activities.
The EPM is operated according to ESA's decentralised payload operation concept. The Facility Responsible Centre (FRC) for the EPM is CADMOS, located in Toulouse, France
.
The different EPM models are:
File:398061main_EPM3.jpg|NASA Image: ISS018E032095: The photo shows Human Research Facility (HRF) rack 2; the European Physiology Module (EPM) is visible. Three-dimensional modeling of International Space Station Interior and Exterior project. Taken for PhotoSynth
File:186705main_EPM1.jpg|Testing of one of the experiment modules for European Physiology Module (EPM). Image provided by O. Amend.
ISPR
The International Standard Payload Rack has been adopted by the International Space Station program to support efficient integration and interchangeability of payload hardware – and to maximize joint research among investigators. The 37 ISPR slots for science payloads on ISS provide a...
for the Columbus Laboratory
Columbus (ISS module)
Columbus is a science laboratory that is part of the International Space Station and is the largest single contribution to the ISS made by the European Space Agency ....
on board the International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
. The EPM rack was built by OHB-System
OHB-System
OHB-System is a medium-sized spaceflight company located in Bremen, northern Germany, which belongs to the OHB-Technology AG. OHB-System is a systems provider in the areas of telematics, space technology, security and satellite services...
in Bremen.
The EPM enables a better understanding of the effects of space flight on the human body. Research typically includes neuroscientific, cardiovascular, and physiological studies and investigations of metabolic processes.
The EPM performs physiological and biomedical tests and transmits the data to Earth for further analysis. The resulting data will provide insight into the human body's processes in a microgravity environment.
The EPM provides equipment for the study of the human body, including three science modules: two active modules, CARDIOLAB and MEEMM, and one module (sample collection kit, or SCK) that includes equipment to enable collection of biological samples (blood, urine, and saliva).
Description
The facility will consist of separate modules in which investigators can install their hardware for study of the human body on ISS. The Cardiolab (CDL) and the Multi Electrodes Encephalogram Measurement Module (MEEMM) will be initially launched with the EPM facility.The European Physiology Module is a double-rack multi-user facility that supports investigations of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, hormonal and body fluid shift, bone demineralization and neuroscience. The facility is based on a modular design concept to support diverse experiments. Human physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
experiments are aimed primarily at increasing our knowledge of how the human body reacts to long-duration weightlessness. However, this area of research also contributes to an increased understanding of terrestrial problems such as the ageing process, osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
, balance disorder
Balance disorder
A balance disorder is a disturbance that causes an individual to feel unsteady, for example when standing or walking. It may be accompanied by feelings of giddiness or wooziness, or having a sensation of movement, spinning, or floating...
s, and muscle wasting. Typical research areas include:
- NeuroscienceNeuroscienceNeuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
- NeurovestibularVestibular systemThe vestibular system, which contributes to balance in most mammals and to the sense of spatial orientation, is the sensory system that provides the leading contribution about movement and sense of balance. Together with the cochlea, a part of the auditory system, it constitutes the labyrinth of...
control of posture, balance, and motion sensory coordination
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems - Control of blood volume and distribution; fluid volume shift
- Bone and Muscle Physiology - Muscle de-conditioning/atrophy
- EndocrinologyEndocrinologyEndocrinology is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions called hormones, the integration of developmental events such as proliferation, growth, and differentiation and the coordination of...
, NutritionNutritionNutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
and MetabolismMetabolismMetabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
- Hormonal regulationHormoneA hormone is a chemical released by a cell or a gland in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of the organism. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism. In essence, it is a chemical messenger that transports a signal from one...
; demineralization
To correctly evaluate the on-board data, it is essential that reference (or baseline) data are collected prior to flight and following the return of the crew-members to Earth. For this reason, the EPM facility will provide a Baseline Data Collection Model (BDCM) system that includes functional copies of the on-board instruments. The BDCM will be readily transportable to ensure availability of the equipment for the pre-flight, launch and post-flight activities.
Containers and operation
The European Physiology Module includes the following science containers for medical experiments:- Multi-Electrode Electroencephalography Module (MEEMM) - For neurologicNeurologyNeurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue,...
scans of the brainBrainThe brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
. (Built by EREMS in ToulouseToulouseToulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
.) - Samples Collection Kit (SCK) - Collection of different medical instruments and boxes for biologic probes.
- Cardiolab (CDL) - To scan the cardiovascular systemCirculatory systemThe circulatory system is an organ system that passes nutrients , gases, hormones, blood cells, etc...
. (Built by CADMOSCadmos* Cadmus - Cadmus, or Kadmos , a Phoenician prince in Greek mythology* CADMOS - a submarine telecommunications cable system in the Mediterranean Sea linking Cyprus and the Lebanon...
in ToulouseToulouseToulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
.)
The EPM is operated according to ESA's decentralised payload operation concept. The Facility Responsible Centre (FRC) for the EPM is CADMOS, located in Toulouse, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
The different EPM models are:
- Flight Model (FM) - Delivered September 2005 to EADS SPACE TransportationEADS SPACE TransportationEADS Astrium Space Transportation was formed in June 2003 from the Space Infrastructure division of Astrium and the EADS Launch Vehicles division . Until July 2006 it was called EADS Space Transportation and was a fully owned subsidiary of EADS Space...
, Bremen for integration. - Trainings Model (TRM) - Delivered to the European Astronaut CentreEuropean Astronaut CentreThe European Astronaut Centre is a centre of the European Space Agency and home of the European Astronaut Corps. It is located in Cologne, Germany, and is sub-divided in to four separate arms, these being Training, Medicine, Education and PR, and Astronaut Management...
(EAC), ESA in CologneCologneCologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
. - Ground Model (GM-1) - Delivered July 2005 to the FRC, CADMOS.
- Ground Model (GM-2) - To be delivered in March 2006 to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC), NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
. - Baseline Data Collection Model (BDCM) - Delivered in October 2005 to the FRC, CADMOS.
Gallery
File:398061main_EPM3.jpg|NASA Image: ISS018E032095: The photo shows Human Research Facility (HRF) rack 2; the European Physiology Module (EPM) is visible. Three-dimensional modeling of International Space Station Interior and Exterior project. Taken for PhotoSynth
File:186705main_EPM1.jpg|Testing of one of the experiment modules for European Physiology Module (EPM). Image provided by O. Amend.