No amount of traditional exercise can keep you fit in outer space, apparently. Small wonder then that astronauts often collapse under their own weight upon returning to Earth after an extended stay up there.
But thanks to the pioneering work of Spanish firm NTE-SENER on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA), astronauts can now bring a modular gym to their orbital habitat to keep muscles from turning to jello.
Dubbed MARES (Muscle Atrophy Research And Exercise System) and first introduced last April in NASA’s Discovery Space Shuttle, MARES will soon debut in a European module and do its bit in keeping space-faring folk preoccupied.
The Importance of Exercise in Space
In the microgravity environment of space, the human body undergoes significant changes. Muscles can atrophy, bones can lose density, and cardiovascular health can deteriorate. Traditional exercise routines that work on Earth are not sufficient to counteract these effects in space. This is why specialized equipment like MARES is crucial for the health and well-being of astronauts. Without such equipment, astronauts returning to Earth often find themselves unable to stand or walk properly due to weakened muscles and bones.
MARES is designed to address these specific challenges. It focuses on providing resistance training, which is essential for maintaining muscle mass and bone density. The system can target specific muscle groups, allowing astronauts to perform a variety of exercises that mimic the resistance they would experience on Earth. This targeted approach is far more effective than generic exercise routines.
Engineering Marvel: The Design and Functionality of MARES
Lest you think this is but a glorified hunk of gym equipment, MARES is a minor revolution in design and engineering. Since MARES first operated in a NASA shuttle, the U.S. space agency lent the team at NTE-SENER a helping hand building their own MARES using Solidworks 3D software that rendered a very detailed blueprint of the exercise machine’s various parts and foreign-built components.
The use of Solidworks 3D software was instrumental in the development of MARES. This advanced software allowed engineers to create a highly detailed and accurate model of the machine, ensuring that all components would fit together perfectly and function as intended. The software also enabled the team to simulate the machine’s operation in a virtual environment, identifying and addressing potential issues before the machine was built.
Once installed and operational, the purpose of MARES is to focus on specific muscle groups, restrain the astronaut and ‘deliver power assisted resistance.’ This means that astronauts can perform exercises that require them to push or pull against a resistance, similar to lifting weights on Earth. The machine can be adjusted to provide different levels of resistance, allowing astronauts to gradually increase the intensity of their workouts as their strength improves.
Let’s not forget to add the diversion. The word is living in a capsule for days can get rather dull. The MARES system not only helps maintain physical health but also provides a mental break from the monotony of life in space. Engaging in regular exercise can improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being, making it an essential part of any long-duration space mission.
In addition to its primary function as an exercise machine, MARES also serves as a valuable research tool. Scientists can use the data collected from the machine to study the effects of microgravity on the human body and develop new strategies for maintaining health in space. This research could have important implications for future missions to Mars and beyond, where astronauts will need to stay healthy for extended periods in a challenging environment.
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