Mechanical Counterpressure Spacesuit Technology For use in Long Duration Planetary Exploration
- Paper number
IAC-07-D1.1.04
- Author
Mr. Grant Lee, United Space Alliance, United States
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Modern, pneumatic, spacesuit technology will likely be used in the next generation of suits that will be sent back to the moon and then on to Mars. The techniques used to design these spacesuit assemblies are well understood and represent the baseline of spacesuit design technology over the past fifty years. While tapping this ‘known’ technology may be the most immediately cost effective way to reinstate our presence beyond low Earth orbit, for long duration stays there will be many challenges inherent to pneumatic spacesuit systems. Bearings, seals, soft goods and bladders will be repeatedly subject to extreme environments with little ability to maintain or repair them. The human body requires external pressure to maintain nominal physiological function. Modern spacesuit systems extend the breathing envelope to cover the entire body and provide this external pressure. Mechanical counterpressure (MCP) spacesuit technology relies on mechanically induced pressure, applied by the contraction of a form fitting elastic garment, to external body surfaces to regulate body processes. While the use of a helmet is still required to provide breathing oxygen, a suit utilizing MCP technology may require no bearings, seals, or bladders to maintain or repair. Additionally, because there is no pressure induced torque or inhibited motion, shirt sleeve type performance might be possible. MCP technology does have its own challenges in its practical achievement. Because body geometry is complex, and changes with movement, it is difficult to design a garment that evenly applies pressure to the whole. Even with the development of a repeatable manufacturing process, human geometry tends to change over time, and in different gravitational environments, thus negating the design of the original suit. Modern elastic materials also tend to lose their elasticity over time, especially under stress, which decreases the amount of pressure an MCP type spacesuit can provide. Smart materials, yet to be developed, with the ability to expand and contract on demand will be required to make this a viable spacesuit technology for the future. While current technical hurdles may prove that MCP is not the spacesuit technology of tomorrow, overcoming these hurdles may make this low maintenance, high performance technology the choice for long term planetary exploration the day after tomorrow.
- Abstract document