The space race to create gym equipment for future astronauts

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. The space race to create gym equipment for future astronauts1 hour ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleHarriet BradshawJohn KennettRower Matthew Wells says he's done a lot of training but nothing like this. Olympic medallist Matthew Wells rows as hard as he can as his body begins to float up for 22 seconds. Instead of a boat and water beneath him, he is 8500m (28000 ft) above the ground on a plane maneuvering to create weightless space-like conditions.

He's part of a different kind of race, one to create the equipment to keep the astronauts of the future fit during space missions. The British invention he's trialling is amongst others being developed across the world, competing with the hope of a place on upcoming moon bases and space stations. ESA/NovespaceThe equipment was tested on a parabolic flight, which creates weightless 'space-like' conditionsAstronauts have to work hard to keep fit in space to maintain muscle mass and bone density, but current machines need them to set aside a lot of time every day to maintain a certain level of fitness.

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"Isn't it every kid's dream to be an astronaut? "It's an opportunity to be able to do something really different. "Wells, who won a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, says contributing to something that might end up in space is "out of this world".

The European Space Agency (Esa), Nasa, the Canadian Space Agency and the UK Space Agency have all played some part in the equipment's development and testing, including Esa providing the parabolic flight tests. This is where a plane climbs and nose dives to create weightless conditions like in space, giving the researchers 22 seconds to gather data before the maneuver is repeated to build up their analysis. ESA/NASAAstronauts have to work out for at least two hours a day on the International Space Station to maintain fitnessCalled HIFIm (High-Frequency Impulse for Microgravity), the kit has already been through a round of testing for other exercises, such as its "jumping" setup.

The idea for the device came out of a competition between three different consortia around Europe to come up with an exercise device for the Gateway Space Station, an orbital space station for the Moon, explains Dr Meganne Christian – a reserve astronaut for the European Space Agency and Senior Exploration Manager at the UK Space Agency. Although Gateway has effectively been sidelined by Nasa, Christian says we are at a "really exciting moment in space exploration" where these devices can be used for new space stations and "the lunar surface" with Artemis missions going back to the moon "this time to stay". ESA/NovespaceDr Meganne Christian is a reserve astronaut for ESA who also helped test the equipment on the parabolic flightThe British invention is not the only piece of equipment in development and testing.

Other teams across the globe are working on projects, including one commissioned by ESA and developed by the Danish Aerospace Company (DAC).

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.