Development of Walking Pattern Evaluation System for Hypogravity Simulation

Abstract

There are three primary techniques for simulating partial gravity: water immersion (neutral buoyancy), parabolic flight, and body suspension device (BSD) models. Underwater Immersion. During tests, a neutrally buoyant subject is ballasted to simulate the desired partial gravity loading. For example, one-sixth of the subject’s body mass is added in ballast if a lunar simulation is desired. Water immersion offers the subject freedom from time constraints and freedom of movement, but the hydrodynamic drag is disadvantageous for movement studies.