Orion flywheel exercise device: History and Key Facts

The Orion flywheel exercise device (or Artemis Flywheel Exercise Device, FWED) is a compact, belt-driven flywheel-based exercise system developed for use aboard the Orion crew module as part of NASA's Artemis program. The device supports both aerobic and resistance exercise using a flywheel and cable mechanism to generate resistance proportional to user input, allowing movements such as rowing, squats, and deadlifts.

Earlier NASA spacecraft did not include dedicated exercise devices. Research conducted aboard the International Space Station has shown the importance of exercise during spaceflight, including on relatively short-duration missions. The device supports a range of physical activities on a spacecraft such as Orion, where large-scale exercise equipment is impractical due to volume and mass constraints.

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