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Exhaled Nitric Oxide-2 (NOA-2)
03.22.12

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Experiment/Payload Overview

Information provided courtesy of the Erasmus Experiment Archive.
Brief Summary

Decompression sickness (gas bubbles in the bloodstream) is a concern and common occurrence in scuba divers. It is unknown if astronauts experience the same type of phenomenon from extravehicular activities (EVA). NOA-2 is designed to compare the amount of nitric oxide that is exhaled before and after an EVA to determine if the astronauts experience decompression sickness.

Principal Investigator

  • Dag Linnarsson, , Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, , Sweden

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

  • Claes Frostell, Ph.D., M.D., Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, , Sweden
  • Lars Gustafsson, Ph.D., Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, , Sweden
  • Lars Karlsson, Ph.D., Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, , Sweden
  • Manuel Paiva, Ph.D., Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, , Belgium
  • Per Blom, Ph.D., M.D., Linde Gas Therapeutics, Lidingo, , Sweden
  • Tryggve Hemmingsson, , Aerocrine, Solna, , Sweden

    • Payload Developer

    Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, , Sweden
    Aerocrine, Solna, , Sweden

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    European Space Agency (ESA)

    Sponsoring Organization:

    Information Pending

    ISS Expedition Duration:

    October 2005 - October 2008



    Expeditions Assigned

    12, 13, 17

    Previous ISS Missions

    This experiment has also been known as ESANO-2.

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    Experiment/Payload Description

    Research Summary

    • Decompression sickness or gas emboli (bubbles in the bloodstream) can occur without symptoms following resurfacing for scuba divers. It is unknown if astronauts experience the same following extravehicular activities (EVA).


    • The objective of this investigation is to test the amount of nitric oxide (NO) exhaled before and after an EVA. (An elevated NO level indicates that they are experiencing decompression sickness.)


    • Determining if the astronauts experience gas emboli will lead to countermeasure to ensure the health of the crew following EVAs.

    Description

    In scuba divers the presence of gas emboli (bubbles) in the bloodstream as a result of decompression is well-known and can be common after normal dives with no subjective signs of decompression sickness. The occurrence of decompression sickness in astronauts following decompression in connection with extravehicular activity (EVA) is not known. It has though been demonstrated that using the corresponding decompression techniques on the ground gives rise to symptoms of decompression sickness in approximately 6% of the cases. This suggests a much higher frequency of gas emboli without clear symptoms of decompression sickness. A non-invasive and simple technique for assessing current decompression techniques before and after EVA would be beneficial.

    In this experiment astronauts will perform a simple inhalation-exhalation procedure (as in the NOA-1 protocol) as late as possible before starting standard EVA preparations and again as soon as possible after completing the EVA. An increased level of expired Nitric Oxide compared to pre-procedure levels will indicate the presence of gas emboli, suggesting a need for adaptation of existing EVA procedures. (Description provided by ESA: Astrolab Mission)

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    Information Pending

    Earth Applications

    Information Pending

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    Information Pending

    Operational Protocols

    Information Pending

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    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

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    Related Web Sites
  • The information on this page is provided courtesy of the ESA Erasmus Experiment Archive.

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    Publications

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    Ground Based Results Publications

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    ISS Patent Publications

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    Related Publications

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    Images

    imageThe Platon device is used to detect Nitric Oxide in the NOA-2 experiment. Image courtesy of ESA.


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    imageNASA Image: ISS012E24271- The Planton Unit and Medical kits in the Zvezda Service Module (SM). The Platon unit, Nitric Oxide Analyzer (NOA), used in the European Space Agency Nitric Oxide 1 (ESANO 1) experiment is in the mid-left of the image. This image was taken during Expeditions 12/13 Joint Operations.


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    Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
    If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Payloads-Helpline.
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