This project is investigating the effects of the absence of gravity on astronauts’ anatomy, and is part of NASA’s Human Research Facility (HRF).

NTE-SENER, a company based in Catalonia and belonging to the SENER Engineering Group, is the main contractor for the Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES), a European Space Agency (ESA) facility for research into the effects caused by zero gravity on human muscles.

Prolonged exposure of the human body to zero-gravity environments causes atrophy of muscle mass, with a reduction of muscle strength and osteoporosis due to the loss of calcium in the bones.

The ESA has developed the MARES system, designed to carry out studies in muscular, neuromuscular and neurological physiology, in order research and counteract the effects of the absence of gravity on human muscles. The system makes it possible to research induced atrophy in muscle groups, both of the individual joints of the trunk and limbs and of whole limbs. For this purpose it applies a stimulus with programable speed or torque/force to eleven muscle groups of the human body, in order to subsequently measure the subject’s torque/force and speed response. On the basis of the results obtained, MARES will make it possible to establish effective exercise protocols: the astronauts themselves will be able to monitor the efficacy of the gym routines they do while in orbit.

The NTE-SENER company has been in charge of the project management, the overall design of the system, all the monitoring, power and supervision electronics, all the mechanical and structural considerations, as well as the software. The Etel and ABSL companies, in addition to the High Performance Center (CAR) of Sant Cugat del Vallés, participated as subcontractors in this project along with NTE-SENER.