Free Flight Physiology: Paragliding and the Study of Extreme Altitude.

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Mary Ann Liebert via the DOI in this record.Aims We sought to describe the physiological demands and the impact of environmental stressors of paragliding, a popular and evolving form of free flight, at moderate and extreme altitudes. We recorded oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (fR), tidal volume (VT), oxygen saturation, accelerometry (G) and altitude in eight male pilots: 9.3 hours of flight at moderate altitudes (to 3,073 m, n=4), 19.3 hours at extreme altitude (to 7,458 m, n=2) and during high-G manoeuvers (n=2). We also analysed heart rate data from 17 male pilots (138 hours). Results Overall energy expenditure at moderate altitude was low (1.7 (0.6) metabolic equivalents) but physiological parameters were notably higher during take-off (p < 0.05). Pilots transiently reached ~7 G during manoeuvres. Mean HR at extreme altitude (112 (14) bpm) were elevated compared to moderate altitude (98 (15) bpm, p = 0.048). While VT were similar (p = 0.958), elevation in fR at extreme compared to moderate altitude approached significance (p = 0.058). Conclusions Physical exertion in paragliding appears low, so any subjective fatigue felt by pilots is likely to be cognitive or environmental. Future research should focus on reducing mental workload, enhancing cognitive function and improving environmental protection.Equipment for the study was provided by the University of Portsmouth Department of Sports Science, the University of Exeter Link Fund Award and Research QR uplift fund. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Dr Juliana Pugmire (University of Glasgow) for review of the manuscript and advice regarding statistical analysis; Professor Adrian Thomas, Professor Sue Ward, Dr Pete Hodkinson, Dr Bonnie Posselt, Dr Tom Yeoman, Dr Ellie Heath; The Free Flight Physiology Project; CASE Medicine; Escape Paragliding, Ozone Chabre Open, SEARCH Projects, Flyeo, Flymaster Avionics and all the pilots who kindly volunteered to take part

Enhanced Numerical Modeling in Simulation of a Generic Propellant Tank Slosh Baffle AIAA 2010-6976

The slosh dynamics in cryogenic fuel tanks under microgravity is a pressing problem that severely affects the reliability of spacecraft launching. An accurate prediction of the slosh is critical for successful mission planning and may influence vehicle control and positioning during rendezvous, docking, and reorientation maneuvers. This paper defines a novel method to assess this problem by coupling capabilities of ANSYS FLUENT an