The Elastic Space Suit: Its Time Has Come

Abstract

Waiting in the wings for 40 years, the elastic space suit now appears to be the right suit for exploration of the lunar and Martian surfaces. Gas-filled pressure suits were used on the lunar surface during Apollo and during extravehicular activities in orbital flights; there have been problems from extra space in the suits, limited mobility, dexterity and tactility, hand injuries and hand fatigue. None of this will happen with the elastic suit, which fits snugly, has no joints, and greatly improves mobility, dexterity and tactility. The elastic suit will enable long periods of exploration on foot at low metabolic cost. Astronauts can walk, run, crawl, kneel, stoop and bend over. They can traverse rough terrain. A puncture or tear will not cause catastrophic loss of oxygen. The elastic suit is a direct descendant of the military partial pressure suit but without that suit’s circulatory problems that prevented long periods of wear. The elastic suit has demonstrated good protection from low ambient pressure, good long term wear, and excellent mobility. But donning was difficult with the early prototype, and many layers of elastic cloth were needed for the larger body diameters. Textile technology has vastly improved in the last 40 years. Engineered fibers and yarns and new textile machines will allow an elastic suit that is easily donned, flexes with little effort, and is custom-fitted for each individual quickly and at low cost. This paper discusses the concept for a better elastic suit with state-of-the-art textile technology that will lead to renewing proof of principle with physiological testing, and show enhanced mobility and dexterity