Munich space chair (MSC): A new body restraint system for astronauts

The Munich Space Chair MSC was developed at the Technical University of Munich as a new body restraint system for astronauts working under 0-g conditions. With the help of the MSC, astronauts are fixed precisely leaving arms and hands free. Thus the working position corresponds to a relaxed, natural 0-g posture. Hence, it is possible to perform difficult experiments with better concentration on the task and with high precision, and therefore increase the astronaut's efficiency. After an introduction describing the principle of the MSC, the verification of the concept on parabolic flight campaigns with the Space Chair and the use at the space station are presented.