DLR-AG Facilities & Research Plans

Abstract

The Institute of Aerospace Medicine of DLR has a long experience with Artificial Gravity. Beginning with a long arm centrifuge built in the 1950s DLR has done research under artificial gravity conditions for more than 60 years. A large number of studies in the field of fundamental research or applied science have been performed successfully. In 2008 the new ESA Short arm centrifuge (SAHC) enhanced DLR capacities. In July 2013, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne, Germany, commissions its new medical research facility :envihab. One central element of the facility is a new type of short radius centrifuge called :enviFuge. Equipped with the capacity to instantaneously and independently move the four nacelles along the acceleration axis, the centrifuge allows the possibility to perform up to four complex trials simultaneously. The shift of subjects above heart-level on a short arm centrifuge allows unique studies about e.g. the cardiovascular regulation in surroundings with a high gradient of artificial gravity. The maximal acceleration is 6 g at the foot level, and each nacelle provides enough space for up to 150kg payload, additionally 2 x 100kg equipment can be mounted on the main arm. Standard features of the centrifuge include a 6-camera motion capturing system and two triaxial force plates to study the kinematics of physical exercise (e.g. squatting, jumping, or vibration training) under increased gravity. Future projects involving :enviFuge will allow to perform complex physical exercises under AG for a proper bone and muscle loading including the control of motion sickness as well as ultrasound examinations under AG (e.g. from the heart).