Hypogravity Simulation using the Variable Gravity Suspension System: A Technical Report

Human movement has evolved within Earth's gravitational environment (1 g; −9.81 m s−2). Future human exploration of terrestrial bodies, including the Moon (0.17 g; −1.62 m s−2) and Mars (0.38 g; −3.71 m s−2), will require astronauts to live and work within reduced gravitational environments (hypogravity). Progressing understanding of the physiological and biomechanical implications of movement in hypogravity will play a key role in supporting the expansion of humanity to terrestrial bodies beyond Earth, within our solar system. Ground-based hypogravity analogues that enable the study of human movement are pivotal to developing knowledge in this field. Whole-body suspension can serve as a resource-efficient and accessible hypogravity analogue, yet only a limited number of such analogues exist globally. This technical report introduces a new hypogravity analogue facility: the Variable Gravity Suspension System (VGSS). The report introduces the VGSS and its theoretical framework, which enables simulation of both micro- and hypo-gravity, presents proof-of-concept data regarding its ability to simulate hypogravity, and demonstrates the ability of the VGSS to facilitate locomotive and jumping activities in simulated hypogravity.