Instrument for measuring astronaut body mass

Abstract

Space Scale, a design of the body mass measurement device (BMMD), was proposed to obtain a lightweight instrument with sufficient accuracy. The main feature of the proposed instrument is the use of a bungee cord that generates a moderate but steady force and a very large displacement during the measurement. Its prime feature is the simple structure of the instrument. The second is a minimal effect from change in subject posture, i.e. the change in density distribution of the subject astronaut. The present status and the future prospects of the Space Scale, including the results of the experiments using the airplane (parabolic flight experiment) and the International Space Station (ISS), are reviewed.