VGSS: The Variable Gravity Suspension System

The world's most advanced terrestrial platform for simulating lunar and Martian gravity

The Variable Gravity Suspension System (VGSS) is a purpose-designed, operationally active system that enables precise simulation of microgravity and partial gravity – including lunar (0.16g) and, from 2027, Martian (0.38g) – in a terrestrial laboratory setting through whole-body human suspension.

Unlike any other reduced-gravity analogue system, VGSS delivers true axial gravitational loading through a novel inclined suspension architecture, allowing participants to walk, run, jump, and exercise under authentic partial-gravity conditions without subject-loading harness artefacts. Its integrated force measurement, motion capture, and physiological monitoring suite enables high-quality, publication-ready data collection in every session.

VGSS is available for licensed research access by external science teams, space agencies, and commercial spaceflight organisations worldwide.

Why VGSS?

Preparing humans for lunar and Martian exploration demands ground-based tools that do more than approximate – they must replicate. VGSS is the only terrestrial system that combines:

True axial hypogravity: gravity level is set by treadmill inclination, not by harness-loaded body weight, giving authentic validated ground reaction force profiles.

Independent limb and segment suspension: each body segment is supported by its own constant-tension cable, with a universal joint connecting the pelvis and thorax plates to preserve natural three-dimensional trunk dynamics.

Integrated measurement from the outset: dual 6-DoF force platforms, 6-camera optical motion capture, wireless EMG, VO₂ analysis, NIRS, ECG, and blood pressure monitoring can be acquired simultaneously, making VGSS as much a research instrument as a simulation platform.

An established, internationally recognised track record: VGSS has been used by the ESA Space Medicine Team to evaluate exercise countermeasure hardware prior to ISS deployment, and VGSS-derived data contributed to the certification of a space exercise countermeasure device demonstrated during the Fram2 mission in 2025.

Read more about the technology behind VGSS here.

ESA Ground-Based Facility

VGSS is an officially listed facility in the European Space Agency's Ground-Based Facilities (GBF) Portfolio. European science teams can apply for ESA funding of up to €75,000 per project to access VGSS through ESA's Continuously Open Research Announcement for Ground-Based Facilities (CORA-GBF). 

Read more about how the VGSS team can support European science teams apply for ESA facility access funding here. 

Research and Evidence

Partners and Users

The VGSS team has active collaborations with NASA, ESA the Canadian Space Agency, Axiom Space and SpaceX. Research access enquiries from additional space agencies, science teams and commercial spaceflight organisations are welcome.

Selected Publications

• Swain P et al. (2026). Hypogravity simulation using the Variable Gravity Suspension System: A technical report. Experimental Physiology, 111(4), 1580–1596. doi:10.1113/EP092172
• Swain P et al. (2025). Jumping on the moon as a potential exercise countermeasure. Experimental Physiology.
• Swain P, Caplan N & Hughes L (2024). Blood flow restriction: The acute effects of body tilting and reduced gravity analogues on limb occlusion pressure. Experimental Physiology.

Read more about the research and evidence behind VGSS here.

Work with Us

You can read about how you can work with us here.

To discuss research access, collaboration, or licensing enquiries, please contact:

Prof Nick Caplan | Lead Inventor and Principal Investigator | Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, United Kingdom | nick.caplan@northumbria.ac.uk