Cambridge company’s sensors go into orbit on International Space Station – Cambridge News

Sensor specialists Zettlex will see their products hit new heights when they're blasted into orbit to help astronauts on the International Space Station.

The Newton company's IncOders have been selected by NASA scientists as the critical control elements for a new generation of high-tech fitness equipment now being used by crew members on the International Space Station.

Long periods in the microgravity of space can have severe effects on an astronauts body. To counter these effects, crew members on the International Space Station must exercise intensively for 2-3 hours per day. Whilst traditional gym equipment might work well on earth, in space things are not so straightforward. The bulk of traditional gym equipment effectively prohibits a space launch and any normal weights machine effectively becomes useless. In space, running on a normal treadmill would likely only produce comical results.

Understanding the effects of space on the human body is an important area of medical research and establishing how exercise keeps astronauts healthy is important in enabling humans to remain in space. This is a critical area for longer range manned missions, most notably to Mars. Accurate and reliable data on an astronauts exercise intensity, speed and duration is valuable scientific data.

Mark Howard, Zettlex general manager, said: "Perhaps fitness equipment is not the first piece of scientific apparatus that one might consider for the International Space Station. However, its crucial to the health and well-being of astronauts and we were delighted that Zettlex products were selected for this important project. Our products had to undergo a long and rigorous qualification process and Im pleased to say that we passed with flying colours.

Cllr Peter Topping, leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, added: Its great to see Zettlex sensors picked for such a vital piece of equipment. Their technology is world-leading and making a name for South Cambridgeshire innovation on the global stage. Zettlex is an exceptional example of the kind of high-tech, high-growth business that the Council is proud to support and wants to see thriving.

Its likely that British astronaut Tim Peake will be putting NASAs new fitness equipment through its paces on his next visit to the International Space Station, scheduled for 2019.

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Cambridge company's sensors go into orbit on International Space Station - Cambridge News