Bio-Suit
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Bio-Suit is an experimental space activity suit under construction at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A space activity suit provides mechanical counterpressure via skin-tight elastic fabric, rather than with gas pressure as in air-filled spacesuits. This allows for much greater range and ease of motion than traditional suits.
The major drawback to mechanical counterpressure suits is the difficulty in donning and removing the suit. In order to effectively provide the minimum pressure of 4.3 psi necessary for human physiology, the suit must be extremely tight-fitting, making donning and doffing a highly strenuous task. Possible solutions to this problem include the use of spray-on materials, and materials such as piezoelectrics which respond to electrical or temperature stimulus by changing shape.
The Bio-Suit is custom fit to each wearer, using full-body laser scanning to size the suit. Mechanical counterpressure has proven difficult for small joints such as those in the hands; consequently, the Bio-Suit uses gas-filled gloves and boots in addition to a gas-filled helmet.[1]
The Bio-Suit team has thus far constructed a number of lower leg prototypes using different materials, including nylon-spandex, elastic, and urethane-painted foam.[2]
With support from the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts, MIT professor Dava Newman is designing a "second skin" spacesuit for exploring the Moon, Mars and beyond.
[edit] References
- ^ Bio-Suit - Overview. http://mvl.mit.edu/EVA/biosuit/index.html
- ^ Patel, Samir S. "This suit is made for walking (on Mars)", The Christian Science Monitor, October 20, 2005. Retrieved on October 14, 2006. (in English)
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