NASA Develops Compact Flywheel Exercise Device for Artemis Moon Missions
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NASA has developed a compact, reusable exercise device for astronauts on Artemis missions, including the Artemis II crew who used it during their 10-day lunar journey. The flywheel provides both aerobic and resistance workouts without drawing spacecraft power, helping maintain crew health in deep space. NASA is now building a fleet of these devices for future Artemis missions.
Facts First
- NASA developed a flywheel exercise device for the Artemis II mission, which astronauts used for roughly 30 minutes daily.
- The device provides aerobic and resistance workouts up to 500 pounds without requiring electrical power from the spacecraft.
- The flywheel is compact and reusable, approximately the size of a large shoebox, and supports exercises like squats, deadlifts, and rowing.
- A team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center is currently developing a fleet of these devices for future Artemis missions.
- Development challenges included limited space, crew mobility, and reducing noise for crew communication.
What Happened
NASA successfully deployed a new exercise device, called the flywheel, during the Artemis II mission. The four astronauts on the 10-day, 694,481-mile journey around the Moon used the device for roughly 30 minutes per day to maintain their physical and mental health. The Orion spacecraft provided essentials for deep space life, including this daily exercise. Ryan Schulte, the Orion flywheel project manager, leads the team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston responsible for designing, building, testing, and flying the device.
Why this Matters to You
This development may lead to more efficient and sustainable technologies for maintaining human health in extreme environments, which could eventually influence exercise equipment design for use on Earth. The focus on compact, multi-functional devices that operate without external power could inspire innovations in personal fitness and portable health tools.
What's Next
The team at Johnson Space Center is currently developing a fleet of reusable exercise devices for future Artemis missions. This ongoing work suggests NASA is committed to refining this technology for longer and more complex deep-space journeys.