[Habitability and life support systems].

This paper discusses various aspects of space vehicle habitability and life support systems. It describes variations in the chemical and microbial composition of an enclosed atmosphere during prolonged real and simulated flights. The paper gives a detailed description of life support systems and environmental investigations onboard the Mir station.

[Products of microbiological biodegradation of polymer materials as a factor of possible contamination of the atmosphere of hermetically sealed compartments with toxic substances].

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine hygienic relevance of microbial degradation of polymers in an enclosed environment. Experiments were carried out to study the growth and development of microorganisms--molds and bacteria--on polymers. It was found that the process may be accompanied by the formation of volatile toxic substances, i.

[Health and hygiene characteristics of the manned environment of the Saliut-7 orbital station].

The Salyut-7 cabin environment was investigated with respect to the chemical, biological and physical factors. The gas composition was measured qualitatively and quantitatively. This determination showed a higher content of acetone and acetaldehyde when the cosmonauts worked on various trainers and unloaded the Progress cargo vehicles.

[Current status and the prospects for the hygienic support of piloted space flights].

On the basis of their findings and the data published in the literature the authors review the main results of investigations related to the hygienic maintenance of manned space flights. The paper presents the major problems in this field that need to be resolved in order to maintain adequate environments in space cabins.

[Effect of specific volume on formation of the atmosphere of hermetically sealed objects].

Atmosphere pollution with noxious gaseous trace contaminants exhaled by man in an enclosure was investigated as a function of free volume per man. The parameter was shown to depend on the environmental conditions: with increase in free volume the total level of atmosphere pollution decreased, being proportional to the concentration of gaseous trace contaminants in the exhaled air. Experimental curves of accumulation of gaseous chemicals exhaled by man were built.

[Composition of the trace contaminants in the atmosphere of the Soiuz-22 space ship].

The Soyuz-22 space cabin atmosphere was studied for volatile organic trace contaminants. By gas chromatography the following constituents were identified: methane, ethane, heptane, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, acetaldehyde, acetone, ethyl benzene. Except for acetone, concentrations of the above compounds were close to the values determined in the mock-up experiments.

[Immunological reactivity and the prognosis for allergic complications in the crew of the 2d Saliut-4 expedition].

Immunological reactivity of P. I. Klimuk and V.

[Preliminary results of medical research completed during the flight of the second expedition of orbital station "Salyut-4"].

The 63-day flight of cosmonauts P. I. Klimuk and V.

[Problem of "biological compatibility" of crew members during prolonged space flight and possible directions for its solution].

The concept of biological compatibility of men can be defined as a phenomenon which includes an effect (that might be favorable or unfavorable) of one individuum on the other via trace amounts of chemicals released into their environment and micro-organisms. The paper presents the main results of studies of biological compatibility of crewmembers of space vehicles and outlines possible directions of research to be carried out in this area.

["Soiuz-Apollo" experimental flight. Preliminary results of medicobiological studies, carried out during the flight of "Soiuz-19" spaceship].

The paper presents brief information on the Apollo-Soyuz test mission, its program biomedical investigations to be carried out in flight and specific medical aspects. It discusses the main tasks of the joint US-USSR experiments and Soviet experiments. It gives and analyzes preliminary results of medical monitoring and postflight examinations of the crew members.

[Microbiological aspects of the performance of life support systems during prolonged operation].

The environmental control system using superoxides, sillicagels or synthetic ceolites is capable of purifying the atmosphere from microorganisms. The air conditioning system is another means for air purification from microorganisms. The possibility of microbial build-up and multiplication in the atmospheric condensate makes it necessary to assume that an air conditioning system may contribute to the transfer of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms in a space cabin.