NASA’s Compact Space Rowing Machine Keeps Artemis 2 Astronauts Fit During Moon Mission

NASA’s Tiny but Mighty Space Rowing Machine

NASA’s Orion spacecraft, which is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean later today after completing its lunar flyby, is anything but spacious. The capsule, currently hosting four astronauts, measures only 16.5 feet in diameter and offers just 330 cubic feet of habitable space. Yet, even in these cramped conditions, NASA equipped the crew with a compact yet highly effective exercise device to combat the physical toll of microgravity.

Why Exercise in Space Matters

Prolonged exposure to microgravity leads to muscle atrophy and bone loss, posing serious risks for astronauts on extended missions. NASA’s solution? A specialized piece of equipment designed to fit the constraints of the Orion spacecraft while providing a full-body workout.

The Space Rowing Machine: Small in Size, Big on Function

The device, developed by NASA scientists, resembles a gym rowing machine handle attached to a flywheel. Astronauts secure their feet and pull against the resistance, simulating weightlifting and cardiovascular exercises. Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen demonstrated its versatility in a 2023 video, noting that it can support rowing at lower resistance for cardio or be adjusted to simulate weightlifting exercises such as squats, deadlifts, curls, and high pulls. The flywheel itself weighs just 30 pounds, and the entire machine is barely larger than a shoe box.

“Like a cardiovascular workout where you row at a lower resistance and a fast pace. But we can also change the dynamics of this device so that we can do weightlifting with it.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Space Agency astronaut

According to NASA documentation, each crew member was required to use the device for 30 minutes daily. A diagram of the setup shows how astronauts position themselves in the center of the capsule to maximize the limited space. Video footage from the Artemis 2 mission, captured two days into the flight, shows NASA astronaut Victor Glover using the machine during his allotted exercise time, while Hansen prepared lunch.

Preparing for the Mission: Earthbound Training

The astronauts’ fitness routines began long before launch. A photo shared by NASA last summer showed Moon-bound astronaut Christina Koch training on Earth, showcasing her muscular definition—a result of her active lifestyle that includes surfing, rock and ice climbing, triathlons, yoga, and backpacking. Social media users marveled at her training, with one commenting, “Holy s***, [Koch] drop your arm routine.”

The Critical Role of Exercise in Space

While exercise might seem like a minor aspect of a Moon mission, its importance cannot be overstated. Jessica Scott, an exercise physiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center who worked on early prototypes of the machine for NASA, told NPR that ten days in space without exercise is roughly equivalent to ten days of bed rest on Earth.

As NASA continues to push the boundaries of human spaceflight with missions like Artemis 2, innovations like this compact rowing machine ensure that astronauts remain healthy and capable of meeting the demands of deep-space exploration.