Fitness tracker beyond Earth

One of many experiments throughout ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen’s mission will monitor his well being and physique very important indicators throughout his every day train in space.

Understanding how the human physique copes with microgravity is the main focus of many experiments on the Worldwide Area Station. Whereas it takes about two weeks for astronauts to get used to being in space, maintaining monitor of how the physique is doing, particularly throughout train, may also help researchers perceive how astronauts can finest be assisted in orbit.

On his Huginn mission, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen will train with the SpaceWear monitor strapped to his chest to measure very important well being parameters, similar to pores and skin temperature and coronary heart price.

Small dimension, massive affect

SpaceWear is a tool concerning the dimension of a watch that Andreas straps round his torso whereas exercising. It screens a spread of well being indicators just like the heart rate and its variability, respiratory price, how the physique is oriented and strikes and the pores and skin temperature. All of this at 1,000 instances a second and with a 10-hour battery life.

“There are already well being screens in use on the Worldwide Area Station, however what units the SpaceWear monitor other than these is the frequency and high quality of the info that it measures. Together with an extended battery life, we’re trying ahead to seeing how the SpaceWear monitor may also help astronauts of their every day life on the Area Station,” says Thomas Andersen, CEO of Danish Aerospace Firm that developed the machine.

From astronaut to firefighter

The SpaceWear monitor is designed for excessive environments. Andreas’s testing on the Area Station might open up functions for harmful conditions. For instance, firefighters cope with high heat, heavy gear, and bodily demanding work, SpaceWear might monitor and supply medical personnel particulars to assist forestall any severe well being issues and take measures to keep away from them.

The well being tracker may also all who observe excessive sports activities, similar to drivers experiencing excessive g-forces throughout motorsports and climbers ascending excessive mountains in a skinny ambiance.