The European Space Agency has published a call for the development of a multi-use exercise machine that will be used by astronauts visiting the lunar Gateway space station.
ESA is contributing several elements of the Gateway space station under an agreement with NASA in exchange for European astronauts securing seats to the station and, on at least one mission, the surface of the Moon. According to a call published on 30 September, the exercise machine for the lunar outpost will “be the subject of an agreement with NASA for additional benefits.” However, it did not elaborate on the potential benefits that the agency was expecting to secure.
According to the call, ESA will lean on the technical experience gained during the development of the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D) machine, which is currently being tested aboard the International Space Station. The E4D machine was developed under an ESA contract by the Danish Aerospace Company, which has also been contracted to develop exercise equipment for the Axiom commercial space station.
The first phase of the call will run until the second quarter of 2025. Three parallel study contracts will be awarded during this phase covering development up until the System Requirements Review level, including the delivery of a basic mockup model. One of the three proposals will then be selected to move ahead to the implementation phase, which ESA projects will commence in the fourth quarter of 2025.
