Modulating Earth Gravitational Force for Astronauts in Microgravity Environment to Reduce Space Side Effects on Their Health
Amir Hashem Shahidi Bonjar

Abstract
Prolonged zero-g (more precisely, microgravity) environment has adverse effects on astronauts’ health. Bone density, muscles, heart function, blood flow, red blood cell production and the immune system are usually weakened. Astronauts now tend to do endurance types of exercise, including cycling, rowing and walking on a treadmill that stresses aerobics and stamina. But a wide consensus is developing among space physiologists and NASA officials that this approach is wrong and needs to be supplemented by strenuous workouts that increase mechanical stress on astronauts' bones and muscles. Modulating gravitational force in microgravity would exert such a force on their body similar to earth. This approach will certainly reduce space side effects on astronauts’ health. Earth Gravitation Modulating- Machine (EGMM) is a proposed spinning machine which provides eccentric force in cabinets bearing treadmills which astronauts can walk or run on. The spin exerts 1 g gravitational force on the astronauts on treadmills which are perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The eccentric force enforced upon astronaut pushes him/her against treadmill. This should feel somehow like running on treadmill on earth. I propose that overall structure of EGMM would consist of 1) a shaft providing rotation, 2) cabinets containing treadmill; cabinets stand in symmetrical and balanced positions to the shaft, 3) arm; consists as a cable or a bar connecting the cabinets to the shaft; however, it is relatively long enough to provide a wide orbit to prevent dizziness. This technology can be applied to astronauts’ health-care aboard the International Space Station (ISS) too. EGMM should be assembled and set to work in the exterior space of the space stations. However, based on the expressed hypothesis, the detailed engineered-designs for EGMM are to be prepared and evaluated by expert aerospace engineers.

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