The aerospace medicine research facility :envihab in Cologne

:envihab in Cologne - Entrance
:envihab is a medical research facility of the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine. Here, research is conducted into the impact of various environmental conditions on humans and possible countermeasures.

What happens to the human body on a flight to Mars? How does the body of a patient who is confined to bed react? How does lighting affect our mood? Are there countermeasures for the resulting negative effects? We need to find answers to these important questions for ourselves on Earth in order to better understand the effects of ageing, bedriddenness, immobilization and isolation, for example.

The DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine is a world-leading research institute in this field. :envihab is a unique, highly sophisticated medical research facility where the Institute works on its pioneering research to maintain human health and performance. In :envihab (from "environment" and "habitat"), the effects of extreme environmental conditions on humans and possible countermeasures can be researched on 3500 square meters.

DLR Short-Arm Centrifuge

The DLR Short-Arm Centrifuge, Module 1 at the :envihab research facility, is a special unit and the only one of its kind in the world, offering enhanced possibilities for researching the effects of altered gravity, especially as a countermeasure to the health risks that occur in microgravity conditions.

Baro Laboratory/preventative and rehabilitation laboratory (Module 2 at :envihab)

Scientists at the Baro Laboratory are able to conduct research into the health and performance of people who live and work in difficult conditions.

Living and simulation facility/residential research facility (Module 3 at :envihab)

The living and simulation area of the high-tech medical research facility :envihab of DLR’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Cologne is a highly complex and completely unique residential research facility.

PET-MRI (Module 4 at :envihab)

The PET-MRI makes it possible to study the physiological changes that can occur in humans on long space flights, among other things. Such insights can in turn be applied to the kinds of physical stress to which people on Earth may be subjected due to unfavourable conditions.

Psychology laboratory (Module 5 at :envihab)

Scientists are using the Psychology Laboratory to investigate how extreme working conditions (for example isolation and stress) can affect the psyche and performance of those affected, and are developing preventative methods that also have applications in medicine.

Biology Laboratory (Module 6 at :envihab)

The molecular and microbiology laboratories are part of the core medical area at :envihab, it allows direct investigation of microbial diversity within the inhabited, closed parts of the research unit.

:envihab - the film (German)
Two drones explore the :envihab and the applications in the aerospace medicine research facility.

:envihab - the film (German)

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:envihab - the film (German)
Two drones explore the :envihab and the applications in the aerospace medicine research facility.
Credit:

©DLR