Olympic rower floats like astronaut to test future space gym

Scientists are attempting to build exercise equipment to be used on future space flights.

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Instead of a boat and water beneath him, he is 8500m (28000 ft) above the ground on a plane maneuvering to create weightless space-like conditions.

He's part of a different kind of race, one to create the equipment to keep the astronauts of the future fit during space missions.

The British invention he's trialling is amongst others being developed across the world, competing with the hope of a place on upcoming moon bases and space stations.

Astronauts have to work hard to keep fit in space to maintain muscle mass and bone density, but current machines need them to set aside a lot of time every day to maintain a certain level of fitness.