Life and work on China’s space station
Three Chinese astronauts have been living and working in China’s space station core module Tianhe for more than a month. They are scheduled to stay in space for three months.
The astronauts have been exercising, maintaining healthy diets and undergoing regular checkups to reduce the effects of living in a microgravity environment.
Scientists have found that microgravity weakens both muscle and bone, and the weakening of muscle can accelerate the weakening of bone.
In Tianhe’s exercise area, the three astronauts can use a treadmill, spin bike and resistance bands to burn calories and practice strength training.
Li Yinghui, deputy chief designer of China’s manned space program astronaut system, said the three astronauts have personalized daily exercise schedules according to their physical conditions.
Li said that they currently undertake moderate intensity exercises every day, at levels requiring approximately 60 to 80 percent of the astronauts’ maximum strength.
The intensity will gradually increase as their time in space progresses, Li noted. “It is only in this way that they can resist the physiological effects of microgravity.”
Liu Weibo, deputy chief designer of the astronaut system, said the astronauts will also use a device called a neuromuscular electrical stimulator to stimulate the nerves in their muscles, restoring function and strength and preventing muscle atrophy. Experts on the ground can adjust the device according to the status of the astronauts.
Liu, said dozens of pieces of medical equipment are available in a checkup cabinet. The astronauts have regular physical checkups every four to five weeks, including ultrasounds and blood counts.
A healthy diet has also been designed. They can choose from more than 120 variations of high-quality and appetizing space food, including staple foods, non-staples, meat and vegetables.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
- RSS
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证:沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证:31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证:0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证:沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证:沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.