Sarcolab-3 Experiment

iss050e012767 (11/29/2016) --- European Space Agency (ESA) Thomas Pesquet and Cosmonaut Sergei Ryzhikov during the setup phase of the Sarcolab-3 Experiment, by deploying and configuring the Muscle Atrophy Resistive Exercise System (MARES), in the Columbus Module. Myotendinous and Neuromuscular Adaptation to Long-term Spaceflight (Sarcolab) investigates the adaptation and deterioration of the soleus, or calf muscle, where it joins the Achilles tendon, which links it to the heel and carries loads from the entire body. Muscle fiber samples are taken from crew members before and after flight, and analyzed for changes in structural and chemical properties.