Human thermohomeostasis onboard "Mir" and in simulated microgravity studies

Significant changes of thermogomeostatic parameters was obtained by thermot opometric method using the techniques simulate of microgravity effects: bed rest, pressurized isolation, suit immersion (SI). However, each of ground models made rectal temperature (T) trend downward. The autothermometric stu dy (24 and 12 sessions, 2-13(th) and 6-174(th) flight days) was carried out onboard "Mir" by two flight engineers who had preliminary tested at SI (1- 2 days). Studies of German investigators onboard "Mir" confirmed: rectal T must be higher in space flight as compared to the normal environment (n=4). Comparative studies suggest that microgravity is a key factor for the huma n body surface T raise and abolishment of the external/internal T-gradient. T-homeostasis was not really changing during missions arid could be regard ed as acute effect of microgravity. After delineation of changes in body su rface T - by Carnot's thermodynamic law - rectal T raise should have been a nticipated. Facts pointing to the excess entropy of human body must not be passed over. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.