NASA Exercise Harness
2025Designed in collaboration with NASA for TCC Wearables Workshop
This harness is designed to assist astronauts with exercise during spaceflight.
In micro-gravity astronauts must exercise for two or more hours daily in order to maintain healthy muscle mass and bone density levels. Astronauts use a body harness to simulate gravity as it exists on Earth (1G) for several modes of exercise in outer space.
Current models of these harnesses are uncomfortable and technically limiting, preventing the astronauts ability to exercise efficiently. An adjustable harness that allows astronauts to exercise comfortably and efficiently would help alleviate injuries and other potential health risks.
Our solution seamlessly blends an array of materials such as Kydex, steel, foam, fabric and computing components to create a comfortable experiance for the asytronuat without compormising strength. the Kydex plates and exoskeleton effeciantli distribute the applied force from the exercise machine throuhgot the body in a microcravity envirnment. Cables will be clipped into Pad-eye D-rings which offer mobility and strength. These D-rings are incorperated into the kydex with brass eyelets.
Simulating applied force with gym weights helped inform how the harness would absorb this force. These tests informed further iterations of the harness to omptimize strength and comfort.
Working with engineers Mr. Christopher Beck and Ms. Kaitlin Lostroscio at NASA informed the struggles and requiremnts of an optimal exercise harness for the future. It was also a pleasure to present this project at the TCC Wearable Workshop hosted by NASA at the Johnson Space Center.