1630492222.wmv

Michael Lee, a student USAF/NASA research pilot working on the experimental X-80 rocket powered spaceplane undergoing anaesthesia tests in the medical facility at the Dryden Research Centre in California.
Anaesthesia is used in the X-80 programme to help pilots combat the extreme stresses of high G-forces and speeds as the plane escapes the earth's atmosphere.
Pilot is wearing a USAF MC-4C full pressure suit and the new Air Force designed MA-4C full pressure space helmet. Anaesthetic gas enters the helmet through a special valve below the helmet facepiece and next to the standard corrugated rubber oxygen hose. Inside the helmet, the pliot's head is enclosed in a full-head inner rubber pressure unit containing anti-G bladders and the helmet earphones.The helmet microphone is mounted inside the helmet facepiece in front of the pilot's mouth. The helmet is sealed to the pressure suit by an inflatable neck seal bladder.
During the test, the suit and helmet are pressurised with 100% pure oxygen at 3bar pressure. The pilot gives a thumbs up to the technicians running the test to show he's ready to begin the anaesthesia.
70% Nitrous Oxide is mixed with the breathing gas inside the helmet. The pilot becomes aware of the effects.....his eyes start to roll and then become fixed an vacant as awareness starts to go. At about 1.00 minute in the video, the general anaesthetic gas Sevoflurane is added to the helmet mix at 3%. The pilot tries to fight the gas for a few seconds, then his eyes roll up, his head inside the helmet falls forward and he goes under the gas. Unconsciousness is maintained for about 5 minutes while the pliot's vital signs are monitored by sensors under the pressure suit and inside the helmet. In the video, the actual time of unconsciousness has been edited shorter, but the end of the video shows the pilot gradually coming out of the anaesthesia as 100% oxygen is introduced into the space helmet and he regains full awareness with no ill effects.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• 1630492222

[GasUQuick]

Put me under next!