Sleeping in zero-g: How the design of a sleeping bag can support countermeasuring fatigue

Paper number

IAC-12,E5,3,8,x13404

Author

Dr. Anna Barbara Imhof, Liquifer Systems Group (LSG), Austria

Coauthor

Mr. Waltraut Hoheneder, LIQUIFER, Austria

Coauthor

Dr. Kaspar Vogel, Austria

Coauthor

Ms. Laura Drudi, McGill University, Canada

Year

2012

Abstract

The paper discusses six case studies of sleeping bag designs, one used by astronauts in the Space Shuttle program and another currently being used on the ISS, which was developed by a Russian company. Two alterations of the mentioned designs were developed by the University of Technology in Munich and by Portland State University, which will complement the case study selection. There are two recent developments using the neutral body position in zero-g as a guideline for the sleeping bag cut. 

The latest examples were developed by Toshiroh Ikegami from Kyoto City University of Arts, as well as the Vienna based team LIQUIFER Systems Group. With these two design case studies, the cut of the sleeping bag allows the person to relax and sleep in the neutral body position and thus set a new paradigm and option of a sleep device tailored to zero-g.

Currently there is an increased interest in astronauts’ and cosmonauts’ sleep quality and related comfort because analysis of their sleep quality showed that sleep during long exposure to microgravity does not always ensure good recovery of cognitive and functional capabilities. Present research in the area of sleep and performance preservation include studies by the Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP) in Moscow and the NASA-JSC study from the Behavioral Health and Performance Element Human Research Program about improving sleep quality on ISS.

In the context of the paper the operational medical challenges of sleep quality and circadian dysynchrony will be described in order to establish the relevance of effective sleeping bag designs to support spaceflight crewmembers’ well-being.

Abstract document

IAC-12,E5,3,8,x13404.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-12,E5,3,8,x13404.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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