MARES - measuring muscle strength in space

Astronauts living in the weightless environment of the International Space Station experience a reduction in the size and strength of their muscles - a condition known as muscle atrophy. As a countermeasure to muscle atrophy the astronauts living on the Station perform two hours of exercise each day. A new device called MARES - the Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System - which will be installed in the European Columbus Module, will help the astronauts to monitor the effectiveness of these countermeasures whilst they are still in orbit. ESA astronaut Frank De Winne was recently involved in testing of the new device.