Olympic rower floats like astronaut to test future space gym
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Space technology (ISRO, missions)· Prelims·
Why in news
Former Olympic athlete Matthew Wells participated in parabolic flight tests to evaluate HIFIm, a new exercise device designed to maintain astronaut health during space missions.
Background
HIFIm is a new exercise device developed by a consortium including Esa, Nasa, and the UK Space Agency. It aims to reduce exercise time for astronauts while maintaining muscle mass and bone density.
Facts for Prelims
- S&THIFIm: A device designed to maintain muscle mass and bone density for astronauts.
- BodyEsa: European Space Agency.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the physiological challenges faced by astronauts during long-duration space missions and evaluate the role of advanced exercise technologies in mitigating these risks.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Physiological degradation: Prevention of bone density loss and muscle atrophy in microgravity
- Operational efficiency: Balancing high-intensity physical maintenance with limited mission time and equipment weight
Keywords: microgravity · physiological health · space exploration · biomedical engineering · muscle atrophy
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.