When it comes to futuristic space suits, there are a lot of things you need to consider. Among these are flexible membranes, self-sealing, metal components, and aesthetics. The more you know about these elements, the more likely you are to come up with a design that meets all your needs.
Fabric
The space suit has had a long and storied history. From the awe inspiring to the humbling it has played an integral part in many an achievement, from space exploration to the latest technological feats, it has been a boon to mankind. Keeping the astronauts safe in this awe inspiring environment, a robustly designed space suit is a must.
A lot of care and attention goes into the manufacturing of a space suit. A slew of components make their way into the final product. Some of the lesser known components include polycarbonate, Dacron, Nomex and aluminized Mylar. As for the suit itself, fiberglass is the primary material for the hard upper torso segment. Similarly, the micrometeoroid and thermal layers play a significant role in maintaining a comfortable thermal environment for the occupants of the vehicle. Thankfully, the space suit of the future is on the way, so we can look forward to the next generation of spacefaring humans.
Although the futuristic space suit is still decades away, advances in technology have paved the way for the next chapter in humankind’s illustrious history. With the right technologies and a healthy dose of imagination, our intrepid heroes can set out on a mission to the stars in comfort and style. Hopefully, the naysayers will have a hard time swaying their sexy astronaut counterparts. Having said that, it’s still a miracle that humans have managed to leave our little blue planet and come out the other end without a scratch. And the lucky ones are getting some R&R to boot. Well done! Until the next time, may the flies be kind. a.o.)…for all! We salute your endeavors!
Flexible membranes
During their time in space, astronauts need a suit that can protect them from the environment. In addition to keeping them warm and breathing, a space suit needs to allow them to bend, move, and pick up samples.
Space suits consist of multiple layers of textiles that are thermally bonded together. Each layer is designed to perform a specific function. This allows each assembly to perform as a single unit. It also means that each piece of the spacesuit must be able to hold up to hundreds of hours of pressure and be resistant to wear and tear.
The current NASA spacesuit design is based on several technological trends. One of these is the use of flexible membranes. These will help astronauts better understand their suit’s performance.
A team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has recently shown that it is possible to free thin nanomembranes from a substrate. This should make the use of biocompatible membranes easier in biology-related fields.
To study the way that a three-layer nanomembrane can work, researchers at the university used a combination of silicon and silicon-germanium. Their model demonstrated tensile strain, but no defects.
By combining two materials that had the same properties, the scientists were able to create a more flexible membrane than previous versions. The resulting membrane was tens of nanometers thick. They could then apply it to a surface using electrospinlacing.
The team also developed a restraint layer that provides structure and keeps the bladder from ballooning. When the bladder flexes, it can keep the astronaut stable. With a few more layers, they were able to create a bladder and restraint material that is formulated to hold up to constant flexing while pressurized.
Metal components
If you want to get to Mars and beyond, you’re going to have to wear a space suit. There are a lot of components that go into making a space suit. These include Kevlar, Gortex, Dacron, and even Mylar. The materials used to make these garments have been tested for their performance. In particular, a few companies are investigating using high performance plastics for some of the metal parts.
For example, MIT’s Newman has been working on the BioSuit space suit since 1999. It replaces the gas filled pressurization with a mechanical counterpressure, which exerts a full body squeeze. Compared to the gas filled suit, the BioSuit uses 25 percent less energy.
Some of the more exciting research is aimed at a more affordable, less complex version of the BioSuit. Researchers from Syracuse Biomaterials Institute, for example, have developed carbon nanofiber technology that could expand foam to a preset shape. This material also produces heat when activated by electricity.
The space suit of the future will likely be more versatile, more durable and less expensive. Using a smaller number of components will reduce mission costs.
Space suits are a mix of rigid robotic elements and flexible materials. For instance, a future visor might be made of a clear ceramic called ALON. Another interesting material is the hypercube, a hexagonal shape that’s three times stronger than a typical bulletproof glass.
Using advanced technologies, some companies are looking at creating a powered exoskeleton that could give astronauts superhuman strength and fatigue reduction. Although these technologies aren’t quite ready for launch, some of these innovations are already being applied to commercial customers’ spacesuits.
Lastly, a number of small technology companies are working on developing self-healing and other impressive technology for future space suits. One company, Orbital Outfitters, is exploring disposable elements for the IS3 space suit.
Self-sealing
Space suits are essential to astronauts’ safety. As a result, they’ve played a crucial role in some of history’s most important moments. Now, the next generation of space suits is emerging. It will help astronauts explore the solar system while offering unprecedented mobility. They’ll be able to travel through the deepest part of space and across alien surfaces.
The new suit will include wireless sensors to monitor the suit’s environment and alert the wearer if something is wrong. The suit will also have distributed computing to process data.
New materials and technologies are also being developed for the spacesuit. Among them are self-healing materials that can heal a hole without the need for a crew member to perform an action. These can reduce cleaning time for the crew and enhance medical safety.
Similarly, the shape-memory alloys in active compression garments contract in response to heat. A self-healing material might replace gas pressurization.
Several universities are working on advanced space suit concepts. Researchers are concentrating on space applications, while others are exploring the use of powdered compounds. Some materials are already in the lab.
The most difficult challenge for future suits is radiation shielding. Materials like ALON, a ceramic that’s thinner than bulletproof glass, could block dangerous levels of radiation. Those materials will also improve the suit’s strength and durability.
Future space suits need to have minimal mass, low logistical support, and interchangeable components. Ultimately, they must be as functional as temperature. Keeping the suit at a constant temperature would require heavy battery packs.
One of the biggest challenges for future space suits is radiation protection. Scientists are exploring the possibility of embedded hydrogen, which could prevent harmful levels of radiation from damaging the body. Another material is silica aerogels, which consist of 95 percent air and can provide insulation against extremely high temperatures.
Aesthetics
Spacesuits are no doubt functional, but they are not the most glamorous thing in the world. They are designed to protect astronauts from the rigors of space travel. The best ones are made of sophisticated materials, like Beta Marcasite or Mylar, and can be pressurized with up to 4.3 square pounds of oxygen per square inch. In the US, they are also modular, and can be adapted to fit a wide range of body types.
Not only are these suits utilitarian, but they have also been the basis for some truly remarkable accomplishments. From the first man in space, to the first manned mission to Mars, the spacesuit has played a role in several landmark moments. It has also lent a hand in the making of some truly epic movies and TV shows.
As far as spacesuits go, the most advanced designs are not quite yet ready for prime time. But, they are definitely close. With the right aces up their sleeves, the next generation of spacesuits will be more efficient, lighter, and more capable of meeting the demands of future astronauts.
Despite these advances, it isn’t always easy to come up with an innovative design. In fact, one of the hardest challenges is not to make the suit too bulky. Aside from the challenge of reducing weight, spacesuit designers have to find a way to make the suit comfortable, without sacrificing performance.
One idea that has been floated is to make the suit skintight. This may seem like a daunting task, but it will save tens of pounds of batteries and other supplies. Moreover, it will make the spacesuit more adaptable.
As for the futuristic space suit, NASA has embraced the design push by inviting the public to pick the outer layer of their own custom spacesuit. Some designs, like the Starliner from Boeing, are made to order, and feature aesthetic elements.