The Pellet Feeder Dispenser is powered electrically for flight and can operate in conjunction with the Primate Psychomotor Test System. As a result of correct performance of behavioral tasks and during the "free" feeding period, the subject can obtain a pellet from the feeder by pressing a lever with a force of 1.5 kg. Pellets can also be dispensed by ground command as necessary. The total pellet count is the sum of counts from these two channels. Each pellet dispensed is indicated by a step change in the channels' output voltage to a maximum of 63 pellets when the voltage recycles to zero.

The feeder is designed to carry eight rolls of teflon tape, each with 230 pellets adhesively attached. The pellets are stuck onto rolls of Mylar tape, and the tapes are wound onto spools in the dispenser.The feeder contains eight pellet rolls for a total of 1,840 food pellets for the planned thirty-day mission. Pellets are dispensed one at a time through a slot where the monkey can grab them. The monkey is provided with sixty pellets per day: twenty per day are offered gratis, and the remaining 40 serve as a reward for correctly performing psychomotor, behavioral tasks. The handle, which operates much like a slot machine, presents one pellet from each roll in sequence in its respective slot. By this concept, it is hoped that mechanical blockage will never obstruct a large proportion of food availability.

Food Pellets: The primate food pellet has a specified hardness, weight per pellet, friability, nutritive composition, and size. The diet is formulated and manufactured by Pillsbury and consists of a high-protein casein base augmented with Terramycin, vitamins, and trace elements. Pellet composition is approximately 14% protein, 9% fat, and 77% carbohydrates. The diet produces a slightly acidic urine which keeps calcium ions in solution for measurement in the Urine Analyzer. Psyllium husk is added to produce a firmer stool. The resulting nonhydroscopic pellets are spray-coated on one side to improve their adherence to the feeder tapes. Each pellet contains 6.7 calories.

Dimensions: Unknown

Weight: Unknown

Power: Unknown

Capacity: 230 pellets x 8 rolls = 1840

Pellet Weight: 2.25 g/pellet

Pellet dispenser counts

Mechanical Pellet Feeder: A mechanical unit identical in design supported numerous evaluation tests and was similarly flight qualified; electrical unit was chosen for flight because of reliability and consistent handle force.

•Biosatellite Project Historical Summary Report. J.W. Dyer, ed., NASA TM-X-72394, December 1969.

•Mains, R.C.: Report on Primate Restraint and Acceleration Protection System, Reentry Acceleration Data, and Flight Diet Composition for U.S. Biosatellite III Project. NASA Ames Research Center, February 1980.

•Adey, W.R. and P.M. Hahn: IntroductionÑBiosatellite III Results. Aerospace Medicine, vol. 42, March 1971, pp. 273Ð280.

Biosatellite III