The Single-Person Spacecraft is Ideal for Commercial EVA

Paper number

IAC-21,B3,2,6,x65116

Author

Mr. Brand Griffin, United States, Genesis Engineering Solutions, Inc.

Year

2021

Abstract

Commercial EVA will most likely look different than traditional suited operations. The Single-Person Spacecraft (SPS) is a promising alternative providing capabilities, efficiency, and a cost savings not possible with the current or planned solutions. For example, the SPS propulsion system enables rapid translation to areas inaccessible by suited astronauts. Also, SPS pilots do not need to pre-breathe or use an airlock which means the system is lighter and they can be outdoors in about 10 minutes versus the average 58 hours for suited astronauts. Particularly attractive for commercial operations is the operational cost saving of approximately $1.3 M per EVA. SPS performance is another important asset. Because of limited breathing oxygen and electrical power, space walking is always time constrained. Suited astronauts consume precious resources translating hand-over-hand whereas the SPS flies directly to the site. Once there, the pilot uses advanced robotics to perform the task while suited astronauts operate tools with the restricted dexterity of pressurized, multi-layer gloves. To further improve efficiency at the job site, the SPS has a large field of view for line-of-sight visibility and internal displays linked to an information management system. Together, these afford the pilot the situational awareness and onboard resources to conduct tasks not designed for on-orbit servicing. Neutral buoyancy used for training suited astronauts is expensive and resource intensive. The SPS uses flight simulators to improve the quality and reduce commercial EVA training costs. This proven approach is safe, agile, and operates without the certifications and facility requirements of a large water tank. Unlike low-pressure, pure oxygen atmosphere in the space suit, SPS pilots operate in a less flammable earth-like, oxygen/nitrogen environment. A small vestibule connected to the host spacecraft allows rapid access to space without airlock mass and pumping time. The SPS is one-size-fits-all which eliminates the hardware inventory and time required for on-orbit suit sizing. The commercial SPS has application to a broad range of opportunities including the ISS, Hubble, Space tourism, lunar Gateway, and Human missions to Mars.
This paper will further quantify the benefits of using the SPS for commercial EVA and present a status of the development progress. This includes the construction and successful pressure testing of the crew enclosure, the construction and operation of a flight simulator, and the construction and testing of the cold gas propulsion system.

Abstract document

IAC-21,B3,2,6,x65116.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-21,B3,2,6,x65116.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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