Altitude Training – ESA Aerospace

Where b-Cat Altitude Precision Meets Science

b-Cat has installed a top-notch altitude simulation system at the ESA-owned Short Arm Human Centrifuge. This centrifuge is at the Olympic Sport Centre Planica in Slovenia. Since 2008, b-Cat has equipped this center with altitude simulation in 10 double bedrooms, a laboratory, and a basketball field.

The Jozef Stefan Institute manages the centrifuge. Here, b-Cat has installed many systems over the years. The ESA Short Arm Human Centrifuge helps study how humans adapt to weightlessness and test ways to counteract its effects. These studies also help address problems on Earth like osteoporosis, muscle loss, and dizziness.

The centrifuge creates artificial gravity by spinning at 35 revolutions per minute. This makes participants feel forces up to four times their body weight. It helps reduce the negative effects of weightlessness, like bone and muscle loss, through controlled exercises. b-Cat’s Simulated Altitude system can bring the space to 5,000 meters altitude in less than 3 hours.

The Planica facility collects important data for ESA and can simulate different environmental conditions for space missions. b-Cat is proud to be part of this cutting-edge research in aerospace.