Final Project

Paola J.

Legislator:  Manny Najera, Representative

The first time that the space suit appeared in public was in the “ Mercury Project” at NASA. This project consisted of seven astronauts the which include: Alan Schirra, Virgil Gus Grissom and L. Gordon Cooper, Walter Schirra , Donald Slayton, John Glenn and Scott Carpenter. They were the first pioneers that gave information that men could be sent into space and returned safely to Earth. A space suit is mainly created to protect astronauts from space debris, thermal insulation, and radiation. For most part, the design of a space suit is base on the environment in which it operates. For the most part a space suit is composed of 10 main parts: Extravehicular vision, Display and control module, Mini- work station, arm assembly, Boots, Helmet, Primary life support system, Connection for service and umbilical cooling, Globes, Liquid cooling and ventilation garment . This is parts were designed for space suit that is used in the Earth’s surface. For the most part this designed is useless for the exploration of Martian surface.

In order to be successful in the exploration of Martian surface astronauts will have to wear a suit that will protect them mainly from extreme temperatures, and a thin atmosphere. The designed of a new suit is required for that reason a new space suit is being tested in Arizona, to evaluate the flexibility, mobility, and durability of the suit. But the suit in some way seems an antic . The new designed that young people have in main is something more sophisticated, and complex for the lack of technology that is available to us.

This new suit is composed of 10 to 13 main parts in order to have more comfort for the astronaut and a more accurate exploration of the Martian surface.

The space suit weights about 70 pounds on Earth, on mars would weight less than 25 pounds. Making the suit more light and easy to wear. The New space suit is composed of: Extravehicular vision, Display and control module, Mini- work station, arms, wrists, neck, wrists, legs, torso assembly, Boots ( adjustment has been done in order to clime mountains) , Helmet, Primary life support system, Communication system , Globes ( computer system included ) , Thermal system , Propulsion system.

Extravehicular Vision and Helmet : Consists of a clear polycarbonate squared the is that covers the eyes. This helmet contains night vision in order to explore Mars in the night. It is also connected to the computer system that is going to be used to analyze new materials found on mars. It also contains a camera on top of the polycarbonate square. The neck is connected to the helmet and it has a ventilation system. Next to the communication system.

The extravehicular visor is going to remain the same but in a smaller size.

Display and control module: Two square in the upper body it looks like the chest that foot ball players use it contains the electrical controls and displays.

Mini- work station: has been reduced to a belt that carries lazer tools and also claiming tools that will be needed to explore mars freely. Each tool is an attaches to prevent loss.

Arms, wrists, neck, wrists, legs, and torso assembly: Contains the shoulder joint and upper arm bearings that permit shoulder mobility as well as the elbow-joint and wrist bearing. It also contains all the torso, legs, knees, neck and ankles in order to have a normal mobility in space. The torso also contains a 2^nd camera in order to have two different view of the exploration.

Boots: Contain flexible sections to allow the feet to move freely, is also contains new adjustment in on the bottom of the boot in order to clime mountains, steep cliffs or rocky terrain.

Primary life and support system: This assembly contains the life support subsystem, oxygen tanks that are inside a small bag the which is attach to the back of the space suit, computer system is located on the back of the left shoulder (it looks like a small box) a and communications systems is above the oxygen tanks below the neck (Looks like a small box).

Communication system: Is a small box that is above the oxygen tanks. This communication system is designed to be connected to the helmet like a small microphone (it is going to make the voice of the astronaut more clear).

Globes ( computer system included ): Contain insulated padding for palms and fingers. Miniature heaters located in each finger provide for thermal comfort in a cold environment and also a mini computer that is attached to the left glove. This computer will help the astronaut to locate the different parts of mars, and also to send in formation to the space ship and control room on Earth.

Thermal system : Is made of thermal cloth that will cover the all body of the astronauts even the assemblies . This thermal cloth will change with the temperature of the astronauts body. This will protect the astronauts from extremely cold temperatures.

Propulsion system: Contains two small look a like rockets that will be located on the bottom of the oxygen tanks . This system will help the astronaut move faster on the Martian surface, this rockets will be control manually by the astronaut with a small control that is going to be located in the chest of the suit.

The most difficult part or rather dangerous part of mars is the Olympus Mons , because is the largest volcano in the solar system, it towers 17 miles above he plains and is 375 miles across. Also the north pole , because is made of frozen carbon dioxide and water ice. This will make the used of the space suit more dependable for the astronaut because of the radical changes on temperature. This suit will help the astronaut to survive in a thin atmosphere and radical temperature .

Last Updated: 09/07/01