Dezember 2, 2021
I'm at the entrance to the DLR premises in Cologne. Somehow everything seems a bit surreal. The door of the :envihab is about to close behind me for eight weeks. I feel this strange sensation come over me, coupled with keen curiosity and tension. Although it has taken a long time for the study to get started, it's as though someone has only just asked me if I fancy taking part. And now the moment has arrived: as of today, I am Subject D1 in the new bed rest study at DLR.
I'm 42 years old and in my 'normal life' I work as a senior electrician in Facility Management at a hospital specialising in cardiovascular diseases. I'm mainly responsible for building control technology and the power supply. When you have an interest in technical things like I do, it generally comes with a keen sense of curiosity. That's why I'm prepared to lie down for 30 days.
I remember my arrival at the facility as if it were yesterday. I ring the bell at the :envihab and the door to my special new home opens. I'm a little early. I meet participants A1 and B1 for the first time. I'm assigned a letter – D1 – and a room. Any initial anxiety is dispelled by the warm welcome from the DLR study team.
Please follow the link to read the full DLR-BLOG with all pictures and information: SANS-CM bed rest study: Subject D1 looks back on his 30 days in bed
All DLR-BLOGS on the bed rest study SANS-CM: The SANS-CM bed rest study: Lying down for 30 days for space research SANS-CM bed rest study: Subject D1 looks back on his 30 days in bed