Uploaded on Sep 2, 2008
In this NASA video segment an expert at MIT describes and models a biosuit, a futuristic spacesuit designed for astronauts who will one day travel to Mars. The biosuit will be very different from the spacesuits currently used for space travel. It is designed to be form-fitting and lightweight, enabling astronauts to kneel, climb, and maneuver more efficiently. This design can also benefit people on Earth.
Extravehicular Activity Research at MIT Man Vehicle Laboratory - Bio-Suit
The Bio-Suit System stands to revolutionize human space exploration by providing enhanced astronaut extravehicular activity (EVA) locomotion and life support based on the concept of providing a 'second skin' capability for astronaut performance. The novel design concept is realized through symbiotic relationships in the areas of wearable technologies; information systems and evolutionary space systems design; and biomedical breakthroughs in skin replacement and materials. By working at the intersection of engineering; design; medicine; and operations, new emergent capabilities could be achieved.
Published on Oct 1, 2012
A skin-tight suit designed being developed by a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an Italian motorcyclist gear company could be a cheaper, more utilitarian alternative to today's bulky gas-filled space suits.
The BioSuit applies pressure to the body mechanically with form-fitting fabric made from elastic polymers and a "skeleton" of filaments that maintain the structure of the suit while allowing for natural movement. Current space suits use gas to maintain a pressurized environment, which makes them bulky and hard to move around in. An astronaut on the surface of Mars would need to wear a pressurized suit to survive, because Mars' atmospheric pressure is less than 1 percent of Earth's. Without a pressurized suit, blood in the astronaut's body would congeal and tissue would expand.
Current space suits cost as much as $20 million. The BioSuit could cost one-tenth that amount. The BioSuit is being developed by Dava Newman, a professor of aeronautics, astronautics and engineering systems at MIT, with a grant from NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts. Newman is working with industrial designers Trotti & Associates, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and motorcyclist gear company Dainese, of Molvena, Italy.
Link to professor's web site: http://web.mit.edu/aeroastro/www/people/dnewman/bio.html
Link to Manned Vehicle Lab where research is being conducted: http://mvl.mit.edu/
and an article in the Boston Magazine:
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2013/12/10/mit-biosuit-system-dava-newman/?goback=.nmp_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1.gmr_117666.gde_117666_member_5816541916984025089#!
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The BioSuit applies pressure to the body mechanically with form-fitting fabric made from elastic polymers and a "skeleton" of filaments that maintain the structure of the suit while allowing for natural movement. Current space suits use gas to maintain a pressurized environment, which makes them bulky and hard to move around in. An astronaut on the surface of Mars would need to wear a pressurized suit to survive, because Mars' atmospheric pressure is less than 1 percent of Earth's. Without a pressurized suit, blood in the astronaut's body would congeal and tissue would expand.
Current space suits cost as much as $20 million. The BioSuit could cost one-tenth that amount. The BioSuit is being developed by Dava Newman, a professor of aeronautics, astronautics and engineering systems at MIT, with a grant from NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts. Newman is working with industrial designers Trotti & Associates, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and motorcyclist gear company Dainese, of Molvena, Italy.
Link to professor's web site: http://web.mit.edu/aeroastro/www/people/dnewman/bio.html
Link to Manned Vehicle Lab where research is being conducted: http://mvl.mit.edu/
and an article in the Boston Magazine:
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2013/12/10/mit-biosuit-system-dava-newman/?goback=.nmp_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1.gmr_117666.gde_117666_member_5816541916984025089#!
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