Space exploration has always intrigued mankind. Ever since Galileo first saw the craters on the moon in 1609 we have wanted to find out more. Is there anybody out there?
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The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit, and has been continuously occupied for more than 10 years. Astronauts living at the Space Station are required to complete daily exercise quotas, as studies have shown that they can lose muscle mass, bone mass, and cardiovascular function after long-duration stays in microgravity. Although astronauts gradually recover their muscle tissue and most of their bone mass when they return to Earth, it is important that they are strong enough to perform emergency procedures during landing.
The COLBERT (Combined Operational Load-Bearing External Resistance Treadmill) is adapted from a regular treadmill available on Earth, with a few significant additions!
Without gravity to hold the runner to the surface of the treadmill, elastic straps fit around the shoulders and waist
to keep the runner from shooting across the space station with the
first step. There is also a structure to
support the device that allows astronauts run on it without shaking
the rest of the International Space Station, or disturbing delicate
experiments taking place in the weightless environment.NASA selected the UEIPAC Cube to perform an essential role in controlling the COLBERT treadmill in the Space Station exercise facility. Some of the functions monitored by the UEIPAC are characteristics of the astronaut’s gait and foot impact forces while exercising on the treadmill. This is determined by sensing data of various types from accelerometers and load cells in the treadmill and associated restraining equipment.
The fact that the UEIPAC hardware is a very compact, rugged design that makes efficient use of conductive cooling makes the unit ideally suited for space applications.
