DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED RIGID SPACESUIT COMPONENT FOR LONG DURATION MISSIONS
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED RIGID SPACESUIT COMPONENT FOR LONG DURATION MISSIONS
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Date
2019
Authors
Bartlett, Harrison
Bowser, Joseph
Callejon Hierro, Carlos
Garner, Sarah
Guloy, Lawrence
Hnatov, Christina
Kalman, Jonathan
Sosis, Baram
Advisor
Akin, David
Citation
DRUM DOI
Abstract
Long duration human exploration of Mars will pose demands on spacesuits that
current designs are unable to overcome, including the need for in-situ replacement
and repair of suit components. Advancements in additive manufacturing (AM)
technologies provide capabilities to repair or replace rigid pressure garments on-site
and on-need. This thesis focuses on a potential application for in-situ hard suit
manufacturing: the integration of AM components into a functional spacesuit arm.
Material tests were conducted and top candidates were selected for the joint segment
components. AM bearing con figurations were tested under operational loads and
seals were incorporated for pressure retention. Selected components were integrated
into a hard suit arm, which was compared to the Shuttle-era EMU arm through
human tests in a pressurized glove-box. The results indicate that further re finement
of hard suits has the potential to match the performance of operational EMU models
while reducing the logistical issues with current spacesuits.
Notes
Gemstone Team SPACE