A new piece of fitness equipment designed to help astronauts maintain physical health during extended missions has been launched into orbit aboard China's Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft, adding a significant upgrade to the space station's onboard exercise facilities.
The "core muscle training device," developed by the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, was one of the key payloads delivered to the space station.
Long-term stay in space can have certain effects on astronauts' bodies, such as muscle atrophy, decreased cardiovascular function among others, according to Xu Zhi, a researcher at the center.
Measuring 1.7 meters tall and weighing approximately 130 kilograms, the device is designed to enhance astronauts' core strength and mitigate the adverse effects of long-term spaceflight, such as muscle atrophy and spinal pain.
"We have already equipped the space station with a space treadmill, a space exercise bike, and microgravity resistance exercise devices. Building on these current devices and preparing for long-duration missions, we have developed a core muscle training device. Its main function is to further enhance astronauts' core muscle training, helping to prevent atrophy of the paraspinal muscles and alleviate muscle pain after their return," said Xu. The device uses air pressure resistance generated by built-in air tanks. By inflating or deflating the tanks, the resistance level can be adjusted to suit the astronauts' needs.
Researchers on the ground conducted folding, testing, and packing procedures before handing it off to Tianzhou-9 for delivery.
"The stronger (our astronauts are), the longer and farther we can go. Core strength is crucial not only for space station operations but also for future missions to the Moon. For example, when we first arrive on the Moon, maintaining postural stability is crucial, and core muscles play a key role in that. So this is also part of our preparation to ensure astronauts have the physical control and motor ability required for future lunar exploration," said Li Yinghui, researcher at China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
China launched the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-9 in the early morning on Tuesday to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
The Tianzhou-9 carries about 6.5 tonnes of supplies into orbit, including life-support materials for the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 astronaut crews, two new sets of Feitian extravehicular spacesuits, a core muscle exercise device, and scientific payloads related to space medicine and other experimental fields.
The mission is the fourth cargo resupply flight of China's manned space program since the space station entered the application and development phase. It is also the 584th mission of the Long March rocket series.
Device boosts astronauts' core strength for long missions among payload of Tianzhou-9
