World Space Walk Simultaneously Puts Three Mars-Capable Spacesuits To the Test

Zothecula writes "On October 8, three teams in various parts of the world participated in an unprecedented simultaneous test of three experimental spacesuits. Coordinated from a mission control center in Innsbruck, Austria run by the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF), World Space Walk 2013 aims at setting standards for developing suits for the future exploration of the planet Mars."

Comments

Baby steps

[wjcofkc]

Spaceships need space suites too.

Another important experiment that we need to perform - and that somehow never gets talked about - is radiation proofing an interplanetary spaceship. The only reason we can leave people in orbit for extensive periods is because they are within enough of the Earth's electromagnetic field to be protected from the bulk of solar radiation, making it easier to shield. The biggest obstacle in going to Mars will likely prove to be shielding a spacecraft from extreme radiation over the long transit time.

Re:Baby steps

[khallow]

The biggest obstacle in going to Mars will likely prove to be shielding a spacecraft from extreme radiation over the long transit time.

You need mass with protons in it.

Re:Baby steps

[wjcofkc]

If we are lucky, graphene will come to our rescue on this issue too. There are early indications that this will be so. I'm sure it would take a bazillion layers, but that would surely still be orders of magnitude lighter than heavy metals. At the worst, say maybe lead would still have to incorporated, but it would still probably be practical (light enough) to get it off the ground in the first place. I swear graphene is shaping up to be the most important discovery in the history of discovery.

Re:That's great...

[TWiTfan]

Maybe NASA can pay the Russians to ferry them to Mars.