Experiments in the Columbus Laboratory

MARES

MARES is a “giant” that is very difficult to handle operationally. Since MARES practically fills half the module, it is only mounted by the crew when it is needed for research purposes. When assembled, it looks like a large fitness machine – and can be used to measure the strength of the astronauts’ various muscle groups. Degradation of muscles in zero gravity is an important topic and subject of intensive ongoing research.