Air Circulation Confinement Experiments in the CEEF: Physiological Status in Econauts through Repeated Seven-day Habitations

Closed Ecology Experimental Facilities, CEEF, is designed to regenerate everything required for living, such as air, water, and food. Researchers called “econauts” play a crucial role in maintaining the system in good order. CEEF must involve confinement, which is one of the major factors responsible for deterioration in crew health and performance. Two econauts repeated 7-day habitation in the CEEF 3 times in 2005. Blood cells, hormones and mood status were analyzed. Although clinically no problem, changes of mood status and a stress hormone correlated in an econaut. Characteristic changes were observed in leukocyte ratio. These data are essential in considering the effects of forthcoming long-term habitation in CEEF.