Now that’s what I call defying death! Scientists propose building a Wall of Death on the moon to keep astronauts fit in low gravity
Carnival shows may be an unlikely source of scientific inspiration, but some researchers say they may hold the key to future lunar colonies.
To keep the residence of a future moon base fit and healthy, scientists from the University of Milan recommend jogging around a ‘Wall of Death’ every day.
You may be more familiar with these scary-named structures because the circular walls are ridden around by daredevils on motorcycles.
However, the researchers found that running horizontally around the wall can generate enough artificial gravity to keep bones and muscles healthy.
They even suggest that lunar accommodation could be circular, allowing residents to run around the walls of their own homes.
Scientists propose building a ‘Wall of Death’ on the moon for astronauts to run around so they can stay fit and healthy in low gravity
When people spend long periods of time in low gravity, their muscles and bones begin to weaken from lack of use.
Over extended periods of time, this can lead to serious health problems and keep astronauts from working.
Lead researcher Alberto Minetti, professor of physiology at the University of Milan, told MailOnline: Low gravity deconditions many important body functions, resulting in loss of muscle mass, loss of bone density, reduced cardiovascular efficacy and (and) deconditioning of neural control.’
Current astronauts on the ISS use resistance machines to simulate weight so they can avoid the worsening effects of weightlessness.
But now that NASA is getting serious about sending people to the moon with the Artemis missions, the hunt is on for a better solution.
All the way back in 1968, Stanley Kubrick’s epic film ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ imagined astronauts could jog around the inside of a rotating space station.
Using a rented Wall of Death, some bungee jumping tires and a 36-meter-high wall, the researchers tested whether astronauts could exercise in much the same way.
On Earth, only motorcycles can move fast enough to drive over the wall. This incredible stunt is a popular carnival attraction, but could also be the key to a future moon colony (file photo)
Using bungee jumping cords and a rented Wall of Death, the researchers found that participants could quickly learn to run on the wall under simulated lunar gravity.
No human on Earth can run fast enough to stay horizontal like a motorcyclist on a Wall of Death.
But because the elastic bands held 83 percent of their weight to simulate the moon’s gravity, the participants were able to start running unassisted in just five to eight attempts.
The two test subjects were able to run a few laps at speeds of up to 23 km/h over a perimeter of 30 meters.
Crucially, the researchers found that each step on the wall generated an impact of about two to three times the participant’s body weight.
This is the equivalent force generated by running slowly or jogging quickly back on Earth.
It is also enough force to prevent the body from reabsorbing calcium from the bones – something that weakens the body over time.
Dr. Minetti says just two to three minutes of running every twelve hours should be enough to correct any deterioration.
While something like Kubrick’s wheel-like “Space Station One” generates artificial gravity by spinning, this solution allows astronauts to create their own simulated gravity equivalent to about 60 to 70 percent of that Earth’s.
Just like in 2001: A Space Odyssey (pictured), future astronauts could run on the walls of their living quarters to stay sane in space
While giant spinning structures could work, the researchers behind this recent paper point out that building a massive centrifuge on the moon would be far too expensive.
In their article, published in Royal Society Open Sciencethe authors write: ‘Moon-based centrifuges that enable movement within would pose technical challenges and require significant electrical energy.
“Time- and cost-effective ways to simulate terrestrial locomotion on the moon are therefore needed.”
In fact, the researchers say this could be the cheapest option for building exercise facilities on the moon, as running tracks could be built directly into astronauts’ homes.
Dr. Minetti also points out that vertical running is not practical or effective on the moon.
He says: ‘Ultimately you are only in contact with the ground for a very small part of the locomotor cycle, so you proceed to high jump instead of running.
‘You need high speed to obtain a reconditioning stimulus for all functions… so the only way is to generate a much higher artificial lateral gravity by running horizontally on the circular path of the inner walls of the Wall of Deadly.’
A giant spinning structure like in 2001: A Space Odyssey (pictured) would not be necessary, as astronauts can generate their own artificial gravity by running in circles fast enough
Rather than transporting or constructing expensive, purpose-built equipment, a moon base could simply use circular living spaces for residents to run laps in.
This would not only reduce costs, but also eliminate the need for any additional electricity consumption that equipment entails.
Dr. Minetti says this could be built from regoliths and moon rocks, plus water found near the moon’s poles.
“They will probably use a 3D printer for concrete to build circular settlements where astronauts will have to live, entertain, have fun, sleep, eat and run.”
Professor Maria Stokes, an expert in neuromusculoskeletal rehabilitation at the University of Southampton, said The guard: ‘A horizontally running cylinder certainly promises to be a useful countermeasure to help prevent deconditioning under reduced gravity on the moon’
However, Professor Stokes also points out that astronauts still need specific training for their daily living and working skills to stay in top condition.