The Aouda.X Space Suit Simulator and Its Applications to Astrobiology

Abstract

We have developed the space suit simulator Aouda.X, which is capable of reproducing the physical and sensory limitations a flight-worthy suit would have on Mars. Based upon a Hard-Upper-Torso design, it has an advanced human-machine interface and a sensory network connected to an On-Board Data Handling system to increase the situational awareness in the field. Although the suit simulator is not pressurized, the physical forces that lead to a reduced working envelope and physical performance are reproduced with a calibrated exoskeleton. This allows us to simulate various pressure regimes from 0.3-1 bar. Aouda.X has been tested in several laboratory and field settings, including sterile sampling at 2800 m altitude inside a glacial ice cave and a cryochamber at -110°C, and subsurface tests in connection with geophysical instrumentation relevant to astrobiology, including ground-penetrating radar, geoacoustics, and drilling. The communication subsystem allows for a direct interaction with remote science teams via telemetry from a mission control center. Aouda.X as such is a versatile experimental platform for studying Mars exploration activities in a high-fidelity Mars analog environment with a focus on astrobiology and operations research that has been optimized to reduce the amount of biological cross contamination. We report on the performance envelope of the Aouda.X system and its operational limitations.

The AMADEE-18 Mars Analog Expedition in the Dhofar Region of Oman

“…Most of these experiments were performed in cooperation with international partners. Major recurring assets include two Aouda-class spacesuit simulators (Groemer et al, 2012), field infrastructure for time-delayed communication, and a Mission Support Center infrastructure.…”

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

“…The Aouda.X is a prototype space suit simulator with an exoskeleton that can be worn by an operator in the field for up to 6 h, and provides similar operational capabilities expected with future Mars surface EVA space suits (Groemer et al, 2012;Groemer, 2013). Through the DELTA experiment, it was possible to assess how this space suit simulator interfaced with EVA-relevant elements (Graziosi et al, 2006) and how this translated into time delay compared to unsuited performance.…”