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Advancement of an Actuated Upper Extremity Offload System for Integration into ARGOS (ARC-ANGEL)
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Description
Smart, powered wearable system that will integrate with spacesuits during ARGOS/AX3S lunar/Martian surface tests to accurately offload the user’s upper extremities. This system would have a MAJOR IMPACT on suited ARGOS runs (both user fatigue and accuracy of metabolic data) and ENABLE accurate EVA design. IRAD funding will support will culmination with ARGOS human-in-the-loop assessments of the final version, and delivery of the final design and findings.
Benefits
Proposed developments will allow for shoulder offload during suited surface ARGOS tests to create a more accurate reduced gravity analog for the upper extremities.
Details
| Technology area | Ground, Test, and Surface Systems > Mission Success Technologies > Ground Analogs for Space and Surface Systems |
| Program | Agency Independent Research and Development (A-IRAD) |
| Lead organization | Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX |
| Start date | 2025-11-01 |
| End date | 2026-09-30 |
Project contacts
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How to get involved
This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.
None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.