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European Physiology Module (EPM)
11.13.09
Scientists and payload developers can get more information on International Space Station research facilities by contacting the ISS Payloads Office or at 281-244-6187.

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

Facility/Payload Overview

Brief Facility Summary

European Physiology Module (EPM) is designed to investigate the effects of short-term and long-duration space flights on the human body. It includes equipment for studies in neuroscience, cardiovascular, bone and muscle physiology.

Facility Manager(s)

  • Rosario Nasca, European Space Research and Technology Research Centre, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

    • Co-Facility Manager(s)

    Information Pending

    Facility Developer

    OHM Systems, Bremen, Germany

    Sponsoring Agency

    European Space Agency (ESA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |16|17|18|19|20|21|22|

    Previous ISS Missions

    Information Pending

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    Facility/Payload Description

    Facility Summary

    • EPM will enable a better understanding of the effects of spaceflight on the human body. Typical research will include neuroscience, cardiovascular, bone and muscle physiology studies and investigations of metabolic processes.


    • EPM will be able to perform physiological and biomedical tests and transmit the data to Earth for further analyses. The data will provide insight into the processes of the human body and its interactions with a microgravity environment.


    • EPM will provide equipment on ISS for the study of the human body, which includes three science modules in its launch configuration: i.e. two active modules CARDIOLAB and MEEMM and one module (sample collection kit or SCK) which includes equipments to enable biological samples collection (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 the International Space Station (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 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 aging process, osteoporosis, balance disorders, and muscle wasting. Typical research areas include:

    • Neuroscience - Neurovestibular 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 deconditioning/atrophy
      Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolism - Hormonal regulation; 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 crewmembers 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 preflight, launch and postflight activities.

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    Operations

    Facility Operations

    he EPM can run up to three active human body experiments, simultaneously. The experiment modules can be individually temperature-controlled based on investigator specifications.

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    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

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    Availability

  • On-Board ISS

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    Related Web Sites
  • EPM Factsheet

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    Publications

    Results Publications

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      Related Publications

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        Images

        imageTesting of one of the experiment modules for European Physiology Modules (EPM). Image provided by O. Amend.
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        imageNASA Image: ISS016E031846 - European Physiology Module (EPM) installed in the Columbus laboratory. Image taken during Expedition 16.
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        imageNASA Image: ISS018E032095: Human Research Facility (HRF) rack 2, and European Physiology Module (EPM) visible. Taken for PhotoSynth Three-dimensional Modeling of ISS Interior and Exterior project.
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        Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
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