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| | + | [[Design Consideration Regarding the Impact of Suit Mass on Astronaut Performance]] |
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| − | == Design Consideration Regarding the Impact of Suit Mass on Astronaut Performance ==
| + | [[Mission requirements for suits]] |
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| − | Research shows that when it comes to optimizing human performance in reduced gravity (e.g. Moon and Mars) the lightest suit may not be the best solution. Research carried out at NASA JSC (Figure 1) show that by increasing suit mass/weight under simulated lunar gravity, test subjects expended less energy to perform various exploration tasks [1]. This is believed to be due to the fact that humans have evolved to perform best under 1-g conditions. Therefore, by increasing suit mass, the subject is brought closer to 1-g conditions. This in turn means improved stability, traction and locomotion.
| + | [[Protective elements]] (-non-vacuum) |
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| − | [[Image:Mass-performance.jpg]] | + | [[Medical Considerations]] |
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| − | Figure 1: Effect of suit weight on performance in reduced gravity [1]
| + | [[human factors]] |
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| | + | [[Durability and survivability]] |
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| − | It is true that minimizing non-consumable mass (i.e. overall suit mass) provides greater opportunity to send additional consumables and useful hardware to allow longer mission operations and may increase margin of safety in other areas. However, it is also important to recognize that reduced performance during EVA means increased consumption of essential consumables due to increased metabolic rates and increasing risk to crew health and safety. This in turn could potentially negate the potential time gained from the increased consumables launched to the lunar surface by reducing suit mass. In addition, it may not be sufficient to addition lunar rocks to suit pockets and to effectively increase the mass of the suit.
| + | [[Interoperability|Interoperability with other mission components]] |
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| − | This, however, does not mean that mass needs to be added to the suit until the subject reaches 1-g equivalent condition on the lunar surface. Instead, there may needs to be more extensive trade-offs and risk analysis to define optimum suit mass to ensure maximum crew safety, optimum crew performance and mission success. A possible solution is to use lunar rocks or useful hardware (e.g. tools) to increase suit effective mass. However, when considering the abrasive nature of lunar regolith, the importance of eliminating hard surface contacts when designing a suit, and ensuring a well distributed suit mass with minimal center of gravity offset, one must take precaution to implement this.
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| − | '''References:'''
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| − | [1] NASA JSC, 2008. Risk of Comprised EVA Performance and Crew Health due
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| − | to Inadequate EVA Suit Systems, Human Research Evidence Book 2008. Full text available at: http://humanresearch.jsc.nasa.gov/elements/smo/docs/eb_2008/hrp_evibook08_ch08_eva_report.pdf
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Latest revision as of 15:31, 4 March 2009
Design Consideration Regarding the Impact of Suit Mass on Astronaut Performance
Mission requirements for suits
Protective elements (-non-vacuum)
Medical Considerations
human factors
Durability and survivability
Interoperability with other mission components
