SPINAL ELONGATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON SEATED HEIGHT IN A MICROGRAVITY
ENVIRONMENT (SPINAL ELONGATION)
Research Area: Bone and Muscle Physiology
Expeditions: 19- 28
Principal Investigator(s): ● Sudhakar Rajulu, PhD, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Spinal Elongation and its Effects on Seated Height in a Microgravity Environment (Spinal
Elongation) study provides quantitative data as to the amount of change that occurs in the seated
height because of spinal elongation in microgravity.
EARTH BENEFITS
This study provides data and insight on spinal elongation and compression for people who suffer
from back pain on Earth.
SPACE BENEFITS
This seated height data in microgravity is considered
necessary to correctly identify the seated height
projections of the crew in the Orion configuration.
Correct projections of seated height should lead to
proper positioning of the seats within the vehicle;
adequate clearance for seat stroke in high acceleration
impacts; providing proper fit in seats; proper placement
of seats with respect to each other and the vehicle; and
proper orientation to displays and controls. Additionally,
data concerning the effects of spinal elongation on
seated height would aid in the design of suit components,
habitation requirements, and tool specifications.RESULTS
Data analysis is ongoing for the Spinal Elongation
investigation before conclusive results are prepared.This investigation is complete; however additional
results are pending publication.Expedition 22 Commander Jeffrey
Williams gets his seated height measured
in the shuttle commander’s seat using the
Spinal Tracking Anthropometric Posture
Assembly while STS-130 was docked to
the International Space Station (ISS) on
February 15, 2010. NASA image.