Human tolerance to multistage rocket acceleration curves.

I N T H E course of its flight, the occupants of a passenger-carrying rocket are subjected to accelerations differing substantially from that normally experienced. T, he use of a human centri.fuge capable of high peak acceleration and rate of change of acceleration allows us to duplicate sufficiently closely the acceleration curves of a rocket and to determine their effect on human beings in advance of actual flight. I f rocket performance and the limitations of human tolerance are closely matched, it would probably be advisable to make individual tests for each rocket design. Alternatively, if it can be shown that normal tolerance is in excess of that required 'by any foreseeable rocket design, the design problems themselves and those of passenger selection are greatly simplified. In addition, the possi, bilities of emergency corrective action being undertaken during flight can be investigated. The present paper shows that a very large proportion of feasible rocket designs impose no undue strain on the ,passengers. Except for the high, short duration, accelerations that can be imposed by