Irish Technology to Aid Astronauts

A new device that stimulates the large muscles of the legs to produce aerobic exercise training and muscle strengthening effects is scheduled to be tested during a parabolic flight by the European Space Agency to see of it can solve the problem of how astronauts can exercise aerobically in the confines of a spacecraft.

The parabolic flight campaign provides an opportunity to test the novel technology in a zero gravity environment, similar to that experienced on the International Space Station.

The Neuromuscular Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise technology was developed through a partnership between University College Dublin (UCD) researchers and Galway based Biomedical Research Ltd (BMR) – suppliers of electrical muscle stimulation devices for the commercial market e.g. Slendertone® and Neurotech®.

“Keeping in shape is always important, but working out in space is even more crucial in order to counteract the detrimental effects of weightlessness,” said ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang, who is Head of Science & Applications Division in ESA’s Human Spaceflight & Operation Directorate.

“We still have a lot to learn about how the body reacts in space and find the best methods to keep astronauts fit, also when returning to Earth. I'm very pleased that researchers in Ireland are actively participating in this important field, which eventually will help us to send humans all the way to Mars”.

Congratulating the researchers, Minister Sherlock said:

“The awarding of ESA contracts to Irish researchers is further evidence of the leading role Ireland plays in pushing the boundaries of biomedical research for the European Human Spaceflight programme.

“We are seeing a growing number of Irish companies developing biomedical technologies with ESA support, which contributes to employment generation in Ireland and which can also benefit society here on Earth. The ESA space-related research in Ireland builds on the strategic investments that the Government has made in life sciences in the past decade through Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland.”

Dr Bryan Rodgers, Enterprise Ireland explained why this research is so important:

"Astronauts can be in space for up to 18 months on missions to Mars and on board the International Space Station and so they have to adapt to the specific challenges of life in space such as the absence of gravity, high levels of radiation, and cramped living conditions, which often result in deterioration of the astronauts’ heart, muscle and bone condition."

“The research of Dr. Caulfield and Dr O’Gorman will address these issues and find solutions to enable astronauts to function healthily on critical missions. This research also has applications in the healthcare markets back here on Earth, as the characteristics of natural human aging are similar to those experienced by astronauts”.

The ESA funding is provided through two programmes - ELIPS (European programme for life and physical sciences in space) and PRODEX (Programme de dévelopement d'expériences scientifiques).  Enterprise Ireland manages Ireland’s membership of the European Space Agency which allows Irish researchers to access microgravity test services including parabolic flights and bed rest facilities.