A Physiotherapy student advancing the Australian Space medicine workforce

Celene Shimmen is on her way to Ottawa, Canada to take part in a parabolic flight campaign with Integrated Spaceflight Services and the National Research Council of Canada, on a mission to learn how astronauts mobilise and adapt in extreme and hostile environments such as microgravity and potentially, enhance rehabilit ation strategies.

In addition to being a physiotherapy student at Federation University based in Gippsland, Celene began the Scientist-Astronaut training program with the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences and project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere) at Florida Tech University in 2023 which prepares scientistastronaut candidates with the necessary skills to conduct biomedical research on the latest generation of commercial space vehicles.

The NASA supported research organisation teaches its candidates to learn to fly the suborbital PoSSUM

Noctilucent Cloud Imagery and Tomography Experiments selected for flight by NASA. The Red Sprite class of 2023, seven candidates representing Australia, France, Mexico, and the United States, graduated from the “Advanced PoSSUM Academy” this past September 2023.

“Realising Australia’s biomedical potential in space and investing in our nation’s health capabilities can address health challenges on Earth,” said Meraz-Benavente. “It is imperative we exert effort to progress and assume a leading role in space medicine, leveraging one of our many strengths. Also, with a growing space industry, the benefits of investing in rehabilitation research cannot be overlooked. I am very excited and grateful to be a part of this journey.”

AeroMedical Institute- Advanced Chamber Program Hypoxia Training

Training encompassed the advanced chamber program hypoxia training at the AeroMedical Institute. “I had limited insight into what the session would involve, especially understanding the physiological effects stemming from low oxygen levels. Recordings were shared of pilots who had experienced hypoxia. Within 15 minutes, the outcomes became catastrophically fatal. It was a deeply unsettling experience, however, it highlighted the significance of developing awareness of our own symptoms when encountering low oxygen levels.”

The experience involved training to respond under pressure, identifying hypoxic symptoms and managing the oxygen mask in a simulated aircraft, with simulated altitude of approximately 20,000 feet. “Wearing the oxygen mask for the first time initially created a sense of constrained breathing due to its tight fit and challenging design during the simulation, however, I adapted to the mask, finding the oxygen ultimately relieving,” explained Meraz-Benavente.

Simply putting on the oxygen mask can be the decisive action to ensure the safety of the crew.

Aerobatic Flight Training

Space is an unforgiving environment, requiring training in handling adverse situations without panicking. Aerobatic flight training is a requirement for astronauts as it teaches coping mechanisms and subjects its flyers to the same forces encountered during space launch. [Image 4]

Participants experienced both high-G and microgravity conditions, employing mechanical countermeasures and breathing techniques to alleviate the challenges of high-G ascent and re-entry environments. This was executed using an Extra 300L aircraft. The training includes acclimatization to changing-G environments, mirroring suborbital spaceflight conditions. Participants are exposed to accelerations in Gx, Gy, and Gz. Additionally, training introduced the Anti-G Breathing Maneuver (AGSM) for comprehensive preparation. “I revised the breathing techniques learned in physiotherapy and IIAS so that I could utilise them during the various G-forces and avoid blacking out,” explained by Meraz-Benavente. [Image 5 & 6]

“Experiencing zero-G was a personal highlight as my koala and Australian flag seemingly floated alongside me for a few seconds—an incredible peaceful moment. High-G manoeuvres were equally exhilarating, with the force pulling my entire body down, rapidly changing orientation, skin taut around my face, creating a lot of pressure against my body. I felt very heavy. Luckily, I did not experience motion sickness,” added Meraz-Benavente.

Spacesuit Training & Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity Mission Simulation

Participants experienced a simulated scientist mission inside Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity spaceplane simulator while wearing the pressurised spacesuit. Space Suits are supported through a NASA Space Act agreement and evaluated with the Canadian Space Agency and the Canadian National Research Laboratory. As part of the extensive training in mission-qualified spacesuits, participants learn the procedures of donning and doffing a spacesuit, pressurizing the spacesuit, performing safety checks, and conducting fundamental operations while using the spacesuit.

“Standing up proved challenging, as if I were grappling with the suit, requiring significant effort from a sit to stand position. Upon standing, I struggled to maintain balance as initially the suit kept pushing me forward. In physiotherapy we acquire the skills to rehabilitate patients with balance impairments, and this experience served as a reminder of my physiotherapy education and the critical need to enhance rehabilitation strategies for individuals facing balance impairments as observed in neurological patients. The mobility testing, like physiotherapy rehabilitation assessments I’ve studied, encompassed activities like catching and kicking a soccer ball to adapt and regain control of your balance. It was incredible experiencing my own ability to learn to walk,” shared Meraz-Benavente.

After a successful simulation, participants depressurized and removed the suit. “Eagerly anticipating wearing the suit in future missions, I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of how we can adapt and mobilise in this new environment. Exploring how our brain adapts and the rehabilitation practices in place to combat this new environment is crucial and I am confident this knowledge will significantly impact how we rehabilitate astronauts and patients on earth,” stated Meraz-Benavente.

“I believe it is very important to realise Australia’s biomedical potential in space, investing in health capabilities, and taking a leading role in space medicine. I am excited to gain deeper insights how the brain adapts in space. I hope one day I will be able to help facilitate enhanced rehabilitation capabilities for future astronauts and neurological patients.”