Hazards to Deep Space Astronauts
Activity Four: Gravity
Student Handout
Your Challenge
You will design a functional exercise device that will help mitigate the damage of bone loss
and atrophy. You will use your knowledge of the skeletal system, osteoporosis, and the current
exercise equipment on the International Space Station to design a new exercise device that is
compatible with the spaceflight environment (i.e., compact). You will also create a presentation
designed to show NASA the benefits of the device.
Criteria Constraints
Exercise device must be functional to strengthen the
lower-body skeletal region (femur, pelvis, and hip).
You may only use everyday, readily available
supplies.
Exercise device must be compact, with a maximum
height of 42.4 cm, a maximum width of 33 cm, and a
maximum diameter of 21.6 cm (the size of a book bag
or standard shoebox).
You may not use any type of free weights.
Total force of the device must be no less than
3 kg and no more than 13 kg.
Prototype must operate for a minimum of 1 minute.
Ask
• Discuss the following questions after viewing the video clips that will be shown to you:
– What challenges caused by gravity do astronauts encounter?
– How would you compare bone density loss on Earth to bone density loss by
astronauts in space?
– Why is bone density loss research so important to people on Earth?
– How would you prevent bone and muscle loss in space?
• Complete the Bone Mass of an Astronaut worksheet.
Imagine
• Examine the three types of exercise equipment used on the International Space Station
using the pictures provided. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences of each
machine. How can these machines help strengthen the lower body?
• Research the three gravitational fields (Moon, in transit, and Mars) that astronauts will
experience as they travel in deep space. How will the gravitational fields affect the way
astronauts exercise? Why is it important for the exercise device to strengthen the lower body?
• Use the discussion to decide what gravitational field(s) your device is best suited for. Also,
think about what kind of exercise the device offers. Aerobic? Weight training or resistive?
Combination?
• Sketch a design of what your exercise device will look like.
• Examine the building materials or the list of materials available to your team. Brainstorm
with your team how the materials can be used in your device.
Fun Fact
Did you know that researchers
use mice to research the effects of
microgravity in astronauts? There
may be a protein that can help
build muscle and prevent bone
loss. Researchers sent 40 mice to
live in the International Space
Station and studied 40 other mice
here on Earth. They hope their
Mighty Mice and these proteins
can benefit astronauts in space.
Learn more:
www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/st
ati
on/research/news/rodents-and-
a-rocket-carried-researchers-
dreams-into-space-rodent-
research-19
Career Corner
An exercise physiologist analyzes
patients’ fitness to help them
improve their health or maintain
good health. This is exactly what
an exercise physiologist does at
NASA, but these scientists are
improving astronaut health and
helping to find solutions to the
health problems astronauts may
develop in deep space.
Learn more:
www.nasa.gov/hhp/physiology
Next Gen STEM 51