EasyMotionSkin and Milon are reaching for the stars again! After successfully participating in the “Cosmic Kiss” space mission, EasyMotionSkin is now the official supplier of the AMADEE-24 MARS SIMULATION. The new collaboration with the Austrian Space Forum enables six analog astronauts to train against the dreaded muscle atrophy in space before and during the Mars simulation in Armenia in March 2024 using EasyMotionSkin and Milon training systems. An important step on humanity's path to a feasible Mars mission.
Once again, the sky is not the limit for EasyMotionSkin and Milon. The two manufacturers of innovative high-tech training systems are pleased to announce the new and exciting collaboration with the Austrian Space Forum. EasyMotionSkin will be the official supplier of AMADEE-24, a Mars simulation in Armenia planned for March 2024. This is being carried out by the Austrian Space Forum in cooperation with the Armenian Space Agency. The expedition is the authentic test run for astronautical exploration of the Red Planet and is led by a special Mission Support Center in Austria. A crew of six highly qualified analog astronauts with spacesuit prototypes will carry out experiments to prepare future human and robotic Mars exploration missions.
EasyMotionSkin already successful in space with ESA mission “Cosmic Kiss”
From November 2021 to April 2022, EasyMotionSkin was part of the ESA space mission “Cosmic Kiss” and flew to the ISS aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon with German ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer. The state of prolonged weightlessness causes astronauts to break down their bones — this process is comparable to bone loss in osteoporosis. In order to prevent muscle atrophy and the resulting bone loss in zero gravity, training was carried out with EasyMotionSkin's electromuscle stimulation training system both during preparation and during the stay. Back then, the German astronaut completed daily training on board the ISS. Electromuscle stimulation (EMS) is a modern training method in which muscle areas are stimulated by low-frequency current pulses. If this increased basic tension is combined with targeted muscle training, this significantly increases training success.
AMADEE-24 Mars simulation from March 5th to April 8th 2024
Cooperation with the Austrian Space Forum is an exciting next step towards getting closer to the red planet Mars. Simulating human-robot surface activity as an exploration mission is an efficient tool to facilitate understanding the benefits and limitations of future astronautic exploration. They help to understand the limitations and opportunities of technology and workflows. The test site in Ararat province in Armenia was chosen based on its geological and topographic resemblance to Mars. AMADEE-24 is to take place in the Armenian desert in March 2024.
For four weeks, the analog astronauts will test equipment and carry out experiments for future astronautic expeditions on the red planet. The participating crew — Anika Mehlis from Germany, Robert Wild from Austria, Thomas Wijnen from the Netherlands, Simone Paternostro from Italy, Inigo Munoz-Elorza from Spain and Carmen Köhler from Germany — also receive their own, AMADEE-24 branded and individualized EMS suit, called MotionSkin. They will work on their health and fitness with EasyMotionSkin and Milon's high-tech training systems and gather important insights into training processes and results. The electronic Milon strength and endurance equipment manufactured in Germany to the highest quality standards enables maximum efficient muscle and cardiovascular training that would not be possible with conventional equipment. The resistors are not produced by weight plates, but by ultra-modern electric motors.
“For Easy-MotionSkin and Milon, working with the Austrian Space Forum and being an official crew outfitter not only represents an enormous award for our quality and effectiveness, but it also means being part of an incredibly committed and ambitious space project that can bring astronauts and humanity significantly closer to Mars,” says EasyMotionSkin Tec AG CEO and Mi-lon Industries GmbH CEO Bernhard-Stefan Müller enthralled. “On this historically significant occasion, we are producing a limited edition of the AMADEE-24 branded version of the HomeEdition of 100 pieces for enthusiastic space and Mars fans. ”
“Our cooperation partners make a significant contribution to the success of our missions. We are always looking for masters in their field and with EasyMotionSkin and Milon, we have found just such masters. EasyMotionSkin's state-of-the-art training systems and individualized EMS suits will maintain the fitness of our analog astronauts in Armenia and in advance so that they can successfully carry out their challenging tasks,” says Dr. Gernot Grömer, Director of the OeWF.
Study results from the Cosmic Kiss Mission
Human activity in space can generally be described as passive and with reduced activity levels. The exercises prescribed by space organizations help to minimize health risks and monitor activity levels. However, space exploration represents an enormous challenge for the human body under microgravity. Following the successful “Cosmic Kiss” mission, the first study results are available from Charité Berlin, ESA and the German Space Agency at DLR. The EasyMotionSkin training system was tested over a longer period of time (LDM) during the daily fitness routine for space missions. The study assumes that EMS technology and EMS training can strengthen the human musculature and neuromuscular system of astronauts and at the same time minimize their health risks on long-range space missions. The initial data from the pilot project show significant positive effects on the musculature of astronauts.
ABOUT THE AUSTRIAN SPACE FORUM
In the area of analog research, the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) is one of the world's leading organizations involved in preparing for astronautical exploration of other planets. Experts from a wide range of disciplines form the basis for this work within the OeWF. Together with national and international research institutions, industry and companies from various sectors, research is carried out here at the highest level. The Austrian Space Forum is also one of the most important educational providers in Austria when it comes to space travel and getting young people excited about science and technology and giving them access to this sector. www.oewf.org
Information about the AMADEE-24 Mars mission: amadee24.oewf.org