Astronauts complain of stuffy heads in space

Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery have got a case of stuffy heads, but NASA doesn't think they're sick.

More likely, the effects reported by the astronauts have more to do with crowd control and the pockets of carbon dioxide generated when they gather in groups, space station flight controller Heather Rarick said.

"I don't think they have any ill health whatsoever," Rarick told reporters in an early morning briefing.Discovery commander Rick Sturckow radioed Mission Control early Wednesday to say his crew was complaining of stuffiness and that it was a new experience when compared to his three previous spaceflights.

He reported it because Mission Control should know, but stressed that the discomfort was relatively low and would have no impact "on our ability to function fully and complete the mission successfully."

Rarick said that the symptoms reported by the crew could be due to poor ventilation in certain spots between Discovery and the International Space Station.

A similar situation has happened before. In 1999, higher than expected carbon dioxide levels in the space station's Russian-built Zarya module were thought to have contributed to ill effects reported by astronauts who complained of headaches and nausea. The symptoms eased after the astronauts returned to their shuttle. link...