Durable Antifogging Coatings for Spacesuit Helmets

Maintaining a high level of visibility through the helmet of NASA Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) is very difficult under inclement operational conditions. The interior of the helmet bubble will fog up in a high humidity / cold environment with high work rate breathing for extravehicular activity (EVA) that can last up to 8 hours. Currently used wipe on antifog solutions has problem with i) durability, requiring reapplication for every EVA, ii) can potentially get in the astronaut’s eye, impairing their vision, and iii) bottles of solution are a consumable that need to be continuously restocked. Luna has developed an inexpensive, transparent coating that will maintain optical and antifogging properties for the lifetime of the equipment.

The durable antifogging coating will ensure the maintenance of visibility on NASA EVA helmets. The coatings are very durable to survive the lifetime of the equipment.

Beyond the immediate NASA application, this coating system is directly applicable to military goggles, lenses, face shields, optical sensors, automotive windshields, SCUBA masks and numerous other applications.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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