Advancement of an Actuated Upper Extremity Offload System for Integration into ARGOS (ARC-ANGEL)

We will leverage previous development of a passive upper extremity offload system; ANGEL**; and preliminary advancements of an actuated version; to create a fully functional portable controlled system capable of integration into suited lunar/Martian surface ARGOS operations. (**ARGOS Negation of Gravitational Effects on the Limbs)

ARGOS provides a high-fidelity analog of a desired gravitational environment; but the suited user’s upper extremities still experience 1g loads during lunar/Martian surface tests. This is fatiguing to the subject; may increase risk of injury; and is not a true partial gravity representation for the limbs. This discrepancy could lead to misinformed suit design or inaccurate suited human performance data. The proposed developments will allow for shoulder offload during suited surface ARGOS tests to create a more accurate reduced gravity analog for the upper extremities.

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