这门课程的目的是让学生了解一些研究无重状态下生理适应性问题的方法。这门课程分成8个部分，第一部分是介绍和选出的主题，将提供给学生一些关于人类太空飞行生理问题的背景知识，同时复习专业术语和重要的工程概念。第二到六部分主要是介绍骨骼结构、肌肉结构、肌肉与骨骼的运动和控制关系、心脏血管系统和神经系统。每一个课程单元部分一开始都介绍关于系统和适应性的定性生物学知识，并把内容拓展至定量的终端，其中使用工程方法来分析具体问题和对策。最后两部分关于各学科间的主题。第七部分是涉及到太空船外活动。之后是学生的学期专题（第八部分）。

这门课程强调运用多媒体来丰富学生学习经验。课程中讲授的（结构力学、多体动力学、控制理论、电路模型）工程原理用图形表现的方式传达，如图像、动画。例如可在网上观看用电阻－电容电路模拟心血管系统模拟。可以通过图表和视觉技术清晰地演示改变重力水平的影响，实时表现出系统中的这种改变。

1.应用工程方法于宇航员在无重状态下的适应性研究。
2.运用分析技术，如结构理想化、控制理论、电路和机械系统类似物来模拟宇航员执行任务。
3.计算太空任务不良结果的危险性。
4.对对策效果的定量评估。

学生完成这门课程（16.423J/HST.515J）后将能够：
1.解释长期和短期无重状态下的生理学影响。
2.运用分析技术，如结构理想化、控制理论、电路和机械系统类似物来模拟宇航员执行任务。
3. 用梁理论和有限元分析计算人骨骼（例如最接近的大腿骨）的压力和张力状态。
4.用机械模型包括弹簧、阻尼器和集中质量来模拟肌肉组织或临界条件。
5.为多体动力学系统推出运动的公式，运用公式于肢体的运动仿真。
6.选择用于太空生物医学工程的控制规律和估计其控制参数。
7.用一个电阻-电容模型去估计心血管系统的变化。
8.用前庭器官的模型来估计重力和加速度的感觉。
9.讲述用于生理系统的多学科工程模型，指出假设和局限性。

• 作业的安排将贯穿整个学期。
• 大量的阅读任务，希望所有学生要在讲授主题之前准备好。
• 有两次测试。
• 有一个学期专题。
• 教育评估将贯穿整个学期。
  
  家庭作业和参与将占总成绩的30%，两次测试分别占20%，学期设计专题和口头报告占30%。

由于主题囊括了多学科内容，因此这门课程没有基本的课本。课程讲义包括大部分的教学主题。控制理论和定量生理学知识背景是很有用的。

课程涉及的文章包括：

• Eckart, P.《太空飞行的维生和生物几何学》. Torrance, CA: Microcosm 出版社, 1998.
• 《人类太空维生的先进技术》. Washington, D. C.: National Academy出版社, 1997.
• Churchill, S., ed.《太空生命科学入门》. Malabar, Florida: An Orbit Series Book, Krieger 出版社, 1997.
• Guyton.《医学生理学教科书》. W. B. Saunders 编辑 . 1991.

This course aims to introduce students to a quantitative approach to studying the problems of physiological adaptation to weightlessness. The course curriculum is divided into 8 blocks. Block 1, the Introduction & Selected Topics, provides the students with some background information on the physiological problems associated with human space flight, as well as reviewing terminology and key engineering concepts. Blocks 2-6 focus on Bone Mechanics, Muscle Mechanics, Musculoskeletal Dynamics and Control, the Cardiovascular System, and the Neurovestibular system. Each of these modular course blocks starts out with qualitative and biological information regarding the system and its adaptation, and progresses to a quantitative endpoint in which engineering methods are used to analyze specific problems and countermeasures. The final two course blocks focus on interdisciplinary topics. Block 7 deals with extravehicular activity. Following Block 7 is a period consisting of student term project work (Block 8).

This course places heavy emphasis on multi-media technology to enrich the student learning experience. The engineering principles conveyed in the course (structural mechanics, multibody dynamics, control theory, and circuit models) are well suited to graphical presentation as images, or animation. For instance, a simulation showing the cardiovascular system modeled as a resistance-and-capacitance (R-C) circuit can be conveniently run from the web site. The effects of changing the gravity level can then be clearly demonstrated using plots and visual techniques that illustrate the changes throughout the system in real-time.

1. To apply engineering methods to the study of astronaut adaptation to weightlessness.
2. To use analytical techniques, such as structural idealizations, control theory, electrical circuit, and mechanical system analogs to model astronaut performance.
3. To calculate the risk for pathological consequences for space missions.
4. To enable quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of countermeasures.

Students graduating from 16.423J/HST.515J will be able to:
1. Explain the short-term and long-term physiological consequences of weightlessness.
2. Use analytical techniques such as structural idealizations, control theory, electrical circuit and mechanical system analogs to model astronaut performance.
3. Calculate the stress and strain state in a human bone such as the proximal femur using beam theory and finite element analysis.
4. Use a mechanical model including springs, dashpots and concentrated masses to simulate muscle tissue or a boundary condition.
5. Derive and the equations of motion for a multibody dynamic system and apply the equations in a simulation of limb motion.
6. Select control laws and evaluate control parameters applied to space biomedical engineering.
7. Use a resistance-capacitance model to evaluate changes in the cardiovascular system.
8. Use a model of the vestibular apparatus to assess perception of gravity and acceleration.
9. Formulate multidisciplinary engineering-based models for physiological systems and identify the assumptions and limitations.

• Assignments will be distributed throughout the semester.
• A heavy reading load will be assigned with the expectation that all students prepare before topical lecture.
• There will be two quizzes.
• There will be a term project.
• Educational assessments will be made throughout the semester.
  
  The grade will be based 30% on homework and participation, 20% for each of the two quizzes, and 30% on the term design project and oral presentation.

There is no basic text for the course due to the multidisciplinary nature of the topics covered. Course handouts cover most lecture topics. Background in control theory and quantitative physiology are helpful.

Reference texts for the course include:

• Eckart, P. Spaceflight Life Support and Biospherics. Torrance, CA: Microcosm Press, 1998.
• Advanced Technology for Human Support in Space. Washington, D. C.: National Academy Press, 1997.
• Churchill, S., ed. Introduction to Space Life Sciences. Malabar, Florida: An Orbit Series Book, Krieger Publishing Company Inc., 1997.
• Guyton. Textbook of Medical Physiology. Edited by W. B. Saunders. 1991.