An elastic cloth space suit and new technology for its development

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An elastic cloth space suit and new technology
for its development

• Paul Webb, Christine Jarvis, Alan Hargens,
  Kunihiko Tanaka, Allan MacKnight, Mike Reddig
• Yellow Springs, Ohio Clemson University
  University of California San Diego Honeywell
  International Torrance

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Apollo Suit (gas pressurized)(1969)

• Uniform applied pressure provided by gaseous
  oxygen at pressure in semi-rigid containment
  vessel
• Mobility provided by hard, mechanical joints and
  pressure fittings
• Thermal control provided by active liquid cooling
  loops
• Radiation protection providedby flexible
  reflective layers
• Micrometeorite protectionprovided by thick,
  durablefabric layers

Apollo Suit
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Elastic cloth space suit (1969)

• Uniform applied pressure provided by knitted
  elastomeric fibers
• Mobility without joints
• Thermal control provided through perspiration
  (evaporative cooling more efficient in vacuum)
• Worn with current TMG

Space Activity Suit (SAS)
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Pause for film of elastic suit in action
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Elastic glove vacuum test at JSC (1999)
Absolute Pressure 1 Torr Max. Duration 60
min 2 Test Subjects
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Elastic glove pressure device (2001)
MCP glove pressure was measured under the glove
starting at the wrist over the back of the hand
to the tip of the middle finger and back to the
wrist on the palmar side
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Advantages

• Inherently safe
• Wonderful mobility, low energy cost
• Dexterity, tactility, reach, grasp, low fatigue
• Decreased weight of suit and PLSS
• No special tools
• Decreased training time for special missions
• Multiple use with low maintenance
• Low cost of manufacture

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New Technology

• Whole body laser scans for precise individual
  fit
• Computer controlled knitting machines that shape
  fabric to individual body parts
• New textiles for easy donning, comfort
• Quick don glove device
• Tensioning on exposure to vacuum
• Possible future use of electrically activated
  polymers

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A textile with easy stretch, then more power
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A suit for our times

• Improve astronaut capability, lower suit weight
  and cost.
• EVA missions continue.
• Inspection of Shuttle exterior
• Repairs and maintenance of instruments and
  satellites in low Earth orbit
• Building and servicing International Space
  Station
• Moon colony
• Mars and beyond