"Wall of Death" an exciting proposal for the safety of lunar astronauts

A team of scientists at the University of Milan said that the so-called "Wall of Death" (common in motorcycle shows) may contribute to preserving the health and safety of future moon astronauts.

Scientists found that running horizontally around the circular wall can generate enough artificial gravity to maintain healthy bones and muscles. They propose that accommodation on the moon be circular, so that astronauts could run around the walls of the building.

Low gravity weakens muscle and bone strength due to lack of use. Over long periods, this can lead to serious health problems and prevent astronauts from moving.

“Low gravity leads to deadaptation of many important body functions, leading to loss of muscle mass and bone density, poor cardiovascular efficiency and deadaptation of neural control,” said lead researcher Alberto Minniti, professor of physiology at the University of Milan.

Scientists tested whether astronauts could exercise using a wall of death, some elastic jump ropes and a 36-metre-high belt. Participants were able to start running without assistance in only 5 to 8 attempts.

The team discovered that each step on the wall generates an impact equivalent to about two to three times the participant's body weight, which is the equivalent force generated by slow or fast running on the ground. It is also strong enough to prevent the body from reabsorbing calcium from the bones, which weakens the body over time.

Minetti says that running for just two to three minutes every 12 hours should be enough to treat any health deterioration.

This solution allows astronauts to create their own gravity simulation, which is equivalent to approximately 60 to 70% of Earth's gravity.

Currently, astronauts on the International Space Station use weight-simulating resistance machines so they can avoid the effects of weightlessness.

But the search for a better solution continues, with NASA preparing to send humans to the moon via Artemis.

The research paper was published in the Royal Society Open Science journal.