IS TEDDINGTON ON THE CUSP OF MAKING HISTORY IN SPACE?
A small Teddington-based company called Physical Mind London (PML) and based behind the Royal British Legion HQ in the High Street is aiming for the MOON!
Led and developed by local innovator and inventor John Kennett, the team of space exploration scientists is hoping to place its cutting-edge exercise equipment on the moon’s orbiting space station, Gateway. (Gateway – NASA)
Their invention, HIFIm (High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity), is designed to keep astronauts fit in the harsh conditions of space, providing a small and light-weight machine which makes exercising much easier in space.
The amazing technology – built and developed at John’s Teddington pilates studios – has has already caught the eye of the UK Space Agency.
This week marked a significant milestone when UK and ESA astronaut Meganne Christian visited Teddington to participate in a biomechanics study of the equipment.
Her visit was followed by KBR’s European Space Agency Astronaut trainer, Laura Weyrowitz, who came to the UK on Friday to explore the capabilities and potential of HIFIm.
PML has formed a formidable consortium with Kayser Space and KBR to respond to the European Space Agency’s Invitation to Tender. This effort is described by Kennett himself as a “monumental undertaking,” highlighting the sheer volume of documentation involved in the process.
The impressive team behind the project includes Professor Dan Cleather, PML’s chief scientist, on secondment from St Mary’s University.
Laura Weyrowitz, an expert in astronaut training from KBR, adds her expertise to ensure the equipment’s functionality aligns with astronaut needs.
The design and potential manufacturing of the HIFIm for the Gateway are under the watchful eyes of Dominic Touhy, an Oscar-winning special effects guru known for his work on “Star Wars,” “Mission Impossible,” and “1917,” alongside lead SFX engineer Vince Abbott.
Laura Weyrowitz, along with ESA’s Director of Medical Projects and Technologies Work Package Lead for KBR within the ESA Space Medicine Team, Dave Green, flew in from the European Astronaut Centre, to visit the Teddington project reinforcing the international interest and support for the invention.
Dave Green from the ESA in Cologne, Germany, told Teddington Town: “HIFIm is a simple but elegant solution to one of the key questions in human spaceflight – namely how do you remain fit for a return to earth after being in microgravity.
“On the ISS 3 large and bulky devices are used – for up to 2 hours a day. HIFIm may not only be more effective, but also require a fraction of the time.
“However, the simple elegance comes from the use of springs and a counter mass system to solve one of the key challenges of spaceflight – how do you prevent the vibrations induced by exercise shaking, and potentially fracturing the space craft or station.
“By counteracting the accelerations of the body HIFIm is able to be operated without the complex and bulky vibration isolation systems required by the current generation of ISS exercise devices.
“Thus, HIFIm represents an opportunity to revolutionalise exercise in space – and with the lessons learnt – change how we approach exercise back on earth.”
HIFIm stands out due to its innovative approach to exercise in microgravity. Unlike traditional equipment, it also enables jumping to maintain muscle and bone mass, vital for maintaining astronaut health during prolonged space missions. This technology could redefine fitness in space is approached, potentially impacting future space travel and even health programmes such as tackling osteoporosis here on Earth.
Physical Mind London will have to await the decision from the European Space Agency to green light the HIFIm project and if successful, this would also place Teddington on the map for its contribution to humanity’s next giant leap — living and working in space.
You can read more about PML and HIFIm here: Physical Mind London