A glimpse from the inside of a space suit: What is it really like to train for an EVA?

Gast, Matthew A.; Moore, Sandra K.

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2010.08.015

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Of the 157 papers referenced, 53 (34%) did not fit the MMAT categorization of an empirical study as they were either review papers, methods papers, or device design papers. Of the remaining papers, 25 papers (16%) were experimental trials with randomization of the conditions of interest; 26 papers (17%) were quantitative studies that included repeated measures, but were not clearly randomized across all conditions; 52 papers (33%) included quantitative descriptions that either were case-controlled studies or provided characteristic measures; and 1 paper (Gast & Moore, 2011) (1%) was only qualitative in content. We did not exclude papers for being quantitative descriptions as many studies of fit are characteristic in nature.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The authors state that “if a suit is sized to fit the crewmember when their arms are outstretched, the fingers are forced back out of the gloves when they pull their arms close to the chest. If, on the other hand, the suit is sized for the fingers to be snug when working close to the chest, the fingertips will press against the glove when the arms are at other postures.” With the spacesuit, the limitations in dynamic mobility impose predefined motions (Gast & Moore, 2011) that operators must learn and adopt to complete their tasks. The resulting interaction between fit of the wearable system and task requirements can impose constraints, costing the user conscious cognitive workload and limiting directed attention to relevant operational activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Static, Dynamic, and Cognitive Fit of Exosystems for the Human Operator

et al. 2020

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Objective To define static, dynamic, and cognitive fit and their interactions as they pertain to exosystems and to document open research needs in using these fit characteristics to inform exosystem design. Background Initial exosystem sizing and fit evaluations are currently based on scalar anthropometric dimensions and subjective assessments. As fit depends on ongoing interactions related to task setting and user, attempts to tailor equipment have limitations when optimizing for this limited fit definition. Method A targeted literature review was conducted to inform a conceptual framework defining three characteristics of exosystem fit: static, dynamic, and cognitive. Details are provided on the importance of differentiating fit characteristics for developing exosystems. Results Static fit considers alignment between human and equipment and requires understanding anthropometric characteristics of target users and geometric equipment features. Dynamic fit assesses how the human and equipment move and interact with each other, with a focus on the relative alignment between the two systems. Cognitive fit considers the stages of human-information processing, including somatosensation, executive function, and motor selection. Human cognitive capabilities should remain available to process task- and stimulus-related information in the presence of an exosystem. Dynamic and cognitive fit are operationalized in a task-specific manner, while static fit can be considered for predefined postures. Conclusion A deeper understanding of how an exosystem fits an individual is needed to ensure good human–system performance. Development of methods for evaluating different fit characteristics is necessary. Application Methods are presented to inform exosystem evaluation across physical and cognitive characteristics.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Static, Dynamic, and Cognitive Fit of Exosystems for the Human Operator

et al. 2020

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“…All module compartments should be separated by doors equipped with an interlocking mechanism 21 , such that any compartment can only be entered or exited on one side at any given time. For the size of the individual compartments, it should be noted that astronauts likely need help from other crew members donning and doffing their suits 22,23 , although help may not be possible in the case of a 2-person surface crew-as is envisioned in the latest update to NASA's Moon to Mars Architecture 24 . One option for providing the relatively large volume inside the airlock module without driving up system mass could be the use of inflatables, if the compatibility of airlock subsystems with the inflatable hull can be ensured.…”

Section: Compartmentalizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

An airlock concept to reduce contamination risks during the human exploration of Mars

Vrankar,

Verseux,

Heinicke

2023

npj Microgravity

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Protecting the Martian environment from contamination with terrestrial microbes is generally seen as essential to the scientific exploration of Mars, especially when it comes to the search for indigenous life. However, while companies and space agencies aim at getting to Mars within ambitious timelines, the state-of-the-art planetary protection measures are only applicable to uncrewed spacecraft. With this paper, we attempt to reconcile these two conflicting goals: the human exploration of Mars and its protection from biological contamination. In our view, the one nominal mission activity that is most prone to introducing terrestrial microbes into the Martian environment is when humans leave their habitat to explore the Martian surface, if one were to use state-of-the-art airlocks. We therefore propose to adapt airlocks specifically to the goals of planetary protection. We suggest a concrete concept for such an adapted airlock, believing that only practical and implementable solutions will be followed by human explorers in the long run.

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“…E xtravehicular activity (EVA) time during space missions and analog missions is limited, and efficiency is important (Gast and Moore, 2011). Two factors have been identified as influencing human performance during planetary surface EVAs: the reduced-gravity environment and space suit-related constraints (Schmidt, 2001).…”

Section: Introduction and Experiments Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

Suited versus Unsuited Analog Astronaut Performance Using the Aouda.X Space Suit Simulator: The DELTA Experiment of MARS2013

2015

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Space suit simulators are used for extravehicular activities (EVAs) during Mars analog missions. Flight planning and EVA productivity require accurate time estimates of activities to be performed with such simulators, such as experiment execution or traverse walking. We present a benchmarking methodology for the Aouda.X space suit simulator of the Austrian Space Forum. By measuring and comparing the times needed to perform a set of 10 test activities with and without Aouda.X, an average time delay was derived in the form of a multiplicative factor. This statistical value (a second-over-second time ratio) is 1.30 and shows that operations in Aouda.X take on average a third longer than the same operations without the suit. We also show that activities predominantly requiring fine motor skills are associated with larger time delays (between 1.17 and 1.59) than those requiring short-distance locomotion or short-term muscle strain (between 1.10 and 1.16). The results of the DELTA experiment performed during the MARS2013 field mission increase analog mission planning reliability and thus EVA efficiency and productivity when using Aouda.X.

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A glimpse from the inside of a space suit: What is it really like to train for an EVA?

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Static, Dynamic, and Cognitive Fit of Exosystems for the Human Operator

Static, Dynamic, and Cognitive Fit of Exosystems for the Human Operator

An airlock concept to reduce contamination risks during the human exploration of Mars

Suited versus Unsuited Analog Astronaut Performance Using the Aouda.X Space Suit Simulator: The DELTA Experiment of MARS2013

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