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The Evolution of Space Suit Design

Posted by samzenpus on from the spray-on-pants dept.

William_Lee writes "According to space.com, it looks like we may finally be on the verge of seeing a long overdue, radical redesign of space suits that will result in much lighter, more maneuverable, custom fitted suits. Now if we can actually get around to sending someone to Mars..."

7 of 304 comments (clear)

  1. About time.. by jmcmunn · · Score: 5, Interesting


    I was actually just watching an IMAX Nasa special the other day and was shocked to hear that the current space suits weigh in at almost 250lbs!! I know that without gravity, it doesn't matter how much you weigh, but the bulk in those suits seriously made it hard for the astronauts to do their job at times.

    A new "second skin" version of the suit would certainly make it easier on the astronauts, and would free up a ton of space for hauling more cargo up there as well.

    On a side note, Nasa was testing this cool 100ft solar array in the movie, which when folded up fit into a 7 inch tall box! It was pretty cool.

  2. "Suits you well" by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Tight-fitting suits may mean that astronauts are more likely to get turned on, resulting in all kinds of mayham and soap operas. Space can get lonely. Maybe the baggy look is better afterall.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  3. Warning! by EdwinBoyd · · Score: 5, Funny

    This article contains material on spacesuit evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of spacesuits. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered.

  4. Re:Mission To Mars by burns210 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Just because he announced a plan doesn't mean anything. NASA isn't getting the funding(it needs massive increasesm not cutbacks) to actually DO any of the things talked about.

  5. Re:Mission To Mars by Rei · · Score: 5, Funny

    it clear we aren't going anywhere other than perhaps Iran or some other third-world country

    Hmmmm.....

    Iran:
    (image)

    Mars:
    (image)

    I sense a conspiracy in the making...

    --
    People said I was dumb, but I proved them.
  6. Years and years and years ago by multiplexo · · Score: 5, Informative
    in that lost and far-away decade of the Jerry Pournelle described in an article in Galaxy that was later reprinted in A Step Farther Out some space suit research that David Clark did in the late 1960s. This was for suits that would provide pressure via a skin tight fit. Unfortunately NASA stopped doing this research and stuck with the suits we have today, which are large, cumbersome, heavy and extremely expensive. Pournelle described how these suits would work in a couple of his novels including Birth of Fire and Exiles to Glory, it's nice to see that NASA is now getting their shit together and restarting this research.

    --
    cheap labor conservatives - they want to keep you hungry enough to be thankful for minimum wage.
  7. Re:These pictures get worse and worse. by kiore · · Score: 5, Funny

    Especially as an unscrupulous person could do this: http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/i mg_display.php?pic=h_astronaut_djn_02.jpg&cap=The+ glove+is+sensititive+enough+to+permit+kinky+sexual +activities.+Once+completed+the+soiled+glove+can+b e+easily+removed+for+hygenic+disposal.+Artwork%3A+ Cam+Brensiger