# Healthier Astronaut Suits The Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit May Retain Bone Mass By Meghan Young | Published 2010-10-30 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gravity-loading-countermeasure-skinsuit References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2010/10/29/new-suits-may-help-astronauts-retain-bone-mass/) & [popsci](http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-10/superhero-style-skin-tight-spacesuit-provides-healthy-compression-astronauts) Traveling to space can be dangerous on many levels, one of which involves a [skeletal mass issue](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/exoskeleton-technology) that scientists hope the Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit will solve. This new astronaut suit is designed to retain bone mass while in space. Designed by [MIT](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electrovoxel), the Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit essentially acts as an [elastic band, compressing the body](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microload-gtights) lengthwise so that the shoulders pull down towards the feet. By doing so, researchers believe it will replicate Earth's gravity effects. Although still in its testing stages, the results look promising thus far. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 44% | Activity: 63% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Space Exploration Suits:** Developing astronaut suits to support long-term space exploration missions and reduce health risks associated with weightlessness. - **Gravity Simulation:** Creating technology to simulate gravity and prevent the adverse effects of long-term weightlessness. - **Elastic Body Suits:** Designing body suits to provide continuous elastic compression and create a better countermeasure against bone mass loss. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Space Exploration:** Exploring and developing technology to support long-term space exploration missions and mitigate the health risks associated with space travel. - **Sports:** Using elastic body suits to improve athletic performance by minimizing muscle vibration and fatigue. - **Healthcare:** Creating elastic compression suits to help patients with conditions such as osteoporosis maintain bone mass and reduce the risk of fractures. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sporting Goods Retailer Spacesuits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decathlon-eurosuit.md) - [Moon-Exploring Advanced Spacesuits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artemis-iii-spacesuits.md) - [Fashion House-Designed Spacesuits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/axiom-extravehicular-mobility.md) - [Load-Relieving Armored Exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/armored-exoskeleton.md) - [Passive Fitness Suits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweetmyo-bodysuit.md) - [Fashion House-Designed Lunar Spacesuits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/axiom-extravehicular-mobility-unit.md) - [Salvaged Spacecraft Material Jackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/martian-aerogel-jacket.md) - [3D-BioPrinted Space Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/redwire-1.md) - [Advanced Muscle-Toning Suits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweetmyo.md)