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Space tech helps to reach long-jump world record ![]() Wojtek Czyz of Germany jumps before winning the final of the men's long jump F42-44 classification event at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in Beijing on September 16, 2008, setting a new world record by jumping 6.50 metres. ![]() ESA's Technology Transfer Programme together with its technology broker German MST have supported the improvement of a new Wojtek Czyz' prostheies. Here he is testing the specially developed one constructed using materials from aerospace programmes, making it stronger and lighter. ![]() Wojtek Czyz with his improved long-jump prosthesis. The prosthesis consists of four pieces. The first is a shaft used to attach the prosthesis to the stump of the leg, the second is the artificial knee, the third is the knee joint element, an L-shaped bracket connecting the artificial knee to the fourth element, a carbon fibre spring that substitutes for the lower part of the leg and the foot. ![]() Wojtek Czyz long-jumping during training at the German Sports University in Cologne, Germany. A special prosthesis has been constructed for him for his participation to the Paralympics with space materials. The space materials’ advantage is that they are extremely strong and at the same time lighter than conventional products. ![]() CHINA, Beijing : Wojtek Czyz of Germany jumps lands to win the final of the men's long jump F42-44 classification event at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in Beijing on September 16, 2008. Release date: 7 October 2008 |