TEDDINGTON'S space inventor John Kennett yesterday declared the first zero gravity trials of his astronaut exercise machine "a great success" after the first historic tests were completed by scientists Tess Morris-Paterson and amputee former Royal Marine, Lee Spencer.

The duo were carrying out the trials in a 'flying laboratory' on board a converted Airbus 310 which soars into the sky at 45 degrees to create an environment of weightlessness.

John's pioneering HIFIm machine is designed as a countermeasure to issues of bone density and muscle loss encountered by every astronaut who spends time in space.

The inventor and pilates instructor, who designed the machine at his studios in Teddington High Street, now hopes his machine can be used by astronauts on the International Space Station as well as other manned missions.

John told us: "Today was a great success. A culmination of many years hard work; and I am thrilled to have seen and have proven that HIFIm, the next generation of astronaut and parastronaut multi-exercise countermeasures, performed superbly in zero gravity.

"Dr Tess Morris-Paterson became the first person to jump repeatedly in zero gravity, and amputee Lee Spencer became the first amputee to test astronaut and parastronaut exercise countermeasures in zero gravity.

"Basically we had to prove that a person could jump in zero gravity and that HIFIm would not put too much load and vibration through the supporting structure; and we did it!

"This now technically rates HIFIm at Technology Readiness Level 6, and the next level is to test HIFIm on the International Space Station."

Lee Spencer told Nub News: "I grew up with the Apollo missions and to be involved, even in just a small part, in something that is destined for the International Space Station is a privilege beyond my wildest dreams.

"The experience of being weightless was a once in a lifetime event that I will remember for a long time, it was everything that I hoped it would be and more.

"To feel that gravity, something that has silently governed every part of my life, from the moment I was born, to be suddenly gone, is indescribable."

Dr Morris-Paterson said: "I'm so humbled to be the first person to jump in microgravity on HIFIm.

"It's been a journey of enormous highs and lows for the team to get here, particularly for the inventor, John Kennett.

"The equipment functioned exactly as we had predicted and felt just as hard in microgravity as it did in 1G!

"Microgravity felt completely normal after the first few seconds, as if your body has a switch and suddenly you know how to move.

"As someone who has admired so many women astronauts, such as Helen Sharman and Samantha Cristoforetti, this provides such an incredible insight into their world.

"Microgravity feels like you're cheating physics, which is a completely euphoric and sublime experience."