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Experiment/Payload Overview

Information provided courtesy of the Erasmus Experiment Archive.
Brief Summary

SOdium LOading in Microgravity (SOLO) studies the mechanisms of fluid and salt retention in the body during space flight.

Principal Investigator

Martina A. Heer, Ph.D., University of Bonn, Bonn, , Germany

Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

N. Kamps, , , , , Germany

Natalie Baecker, , Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, , Germany

Peter Norsk, M.D., University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, , Denmark

Petra Frings-Meuthen, , Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, , Germany

Scott M. Smith, Ph.D., Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States

Payload Developer
Information Pending

Sponsoring Space Agency

European Space Agency (ESA)

Sponsoring Organization:

Information Pending

ISS Expedition Duration:

April 2008 - September 2012

Expeditions Assigned

17, 18, 19/20, 21/22, 23/24, 25/26, 27/28, 29/30, 31/32

Previous ISS Missions

SOLO was first operated on ISS Expedition 17.

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Experiment/Payload Description

Research Summary

• Microgravity leads to an activation of sodium retaining hormones even at normal sodium intake levels and causes positive sodium balances. Average and high sodium intake in microgravity exacerbates the rise in bone resorption in space.



• SOdium LOading in Microgravity (SOLO) is a continuation of extensive research into the mechanisms of fluid and salt retention in the body during bed rest and space flights; It is a metabolically controlled study.



• During long-term space missions crewmembers will participate in two study phases, 5 days each. Subjects follow a diet of constant either low or normal sodium intake and increased fluid consumption.

Description

The hypothesis of an increased urine flow as the main cause for body mass decrease has been questioned in several recently flown missions. Data from the American SLS1/2 missions as well as the European Euromir `94 and MIR 97 mission show that urine flow and total body fluid is unchanged when isocaloric energy intake is achieved.

However, in two astronauts during these missions the renin-angiotensin system was considerably activated while plasma ANP concentrations were decreased. Calculation of daily sodium balances during a 15 day experiment of the MIR 97 mission, by subtracting sodium excretion from sodium intake- showed an astonishing result: the astronaut retained on average 50 mmol sodium daily in space compared to balanced sodium in the control experiment.

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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

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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

NASA Image: ISS017E018995 - Astronaut Greg Chamitoff, Expedition 17 Flight Engineer (FE) in the Kibo European Laboratory/Columbus. The Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device (SLAMMD) is visible on the left of frame.

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