Austrian Space Forum will operate ESA’s Vertical Treadmill Facility to simulate different gravity levels on Earth

On August 29th, 2024, the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) together with ESA reserve-astronaut Dr. Carmen Possnig, who represented ESA, introduced the Vertical Treadmill Facility thus becoming ESA’s first Ground-Based Facility in Austria. In Europe the facility is an unparalleled opportunity for conducting studies in space physiology. The Vertical Treadmill Facility is open to scientists who want to research the effects of low or zero gravity on the human body. Project funding is possible, for example, through the CORA program of the European Space Agency.

“We are indeed very proud that we will be operating the first ESA Ground Based Facility in Austria. This shows once again that the OeWF has grown into an internationally recognized research facility over the last 25 years and is an important player in the space sector when it comes to advancing analog research.The Vertical Treadmill Facility represents a significant step forward in hypo-gravity research. Because we can simulate the conditions in space, on the moon or on Mars, we are expanding our knowledge of the effects of long-term space flights on the human body and can develop effective countermeasures,” said Dr. Gernot Grömer, Director of the Austrian Space Forum.

In the Vertical Treadmill Facility, a test subject is suspended horizontally on a vertical treadmill and then pulled onto the treadmill to simulate different levels of gravity, an ideal system for hypo-gravity research as well as educational purposes. The vertical treadmill facility is equipped with advanced systems and offers the option to use the Aouda Mars spacesuit simulator, which was developed by the OeWF, for additional research capabilities. Open to researchers this facility offers an unparalleled opportunity for conducting studies in space physiology.

More about the Vertical Treadmill Facility

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ABOUT THE AUSTRIAN SPACE FORUM
The Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) is a private space research institution and a network for spaceflight specialists, business/industry and people interested in space. We conduct Mars Analog Missions on a regular bases, involving scientists and institutions from all over the world. The OeWF is playing a leading role in two international Cube-Sat missions that have been detecting space debris in Near Earth Orbit since 2022. We cooperate with international research institutions and companies and are in constant dialog with the media and decision makers. With 250 members from 20+ nations, the Austrian Space Forum focuses on scientific excellence, starts, shapes and networks careers and has been inspiring people all over the world since 1998. https://oewf.org/en/

Media Contact:
Mag. Monika Fischer
Media Officer
Austrian Space Forum
Tel: +43 699 1213 4610

Disclaimer: The view expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.

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