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Active TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 6)
To get from Moon to Mars, development of a Mars-centered spacesuit to support extravehicular activity (EVA) must begin now. In an effort towards this goal, setup of a Mars Portable Life Support System (PLSS) team to evaluate schematics for a Mars Extravehicular Mobility Unit (MxEMU) is underway. As part of a previous study, a wide range of potential architectures were evaluated and compared to determine leading options for a Martian PLSS.
Going forward, these schematics will inform technology development, testing, detailed sizing analysis, and feasibility studies. A Mars PLSS Test Bed will be developed and used to assess the schematics on a breadboard style configuration of components.
The Mars PLSS Testbed will build an integrated system to evaluate schematics for a Mars PLSS, leading to a Mars spacesuit development.
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