Variable Vector Countermeasure Suit for Space Habitation and Exploration (V2Suit)

The Variable Vector Countermeasure Suit (V2Suit) is a specialized spacesuit designed to keep astronauts healthy during long-duration space exploration missions and help stabilize them while they work in microgravity. The initial V2Suit prototype will integrate gyroscopes and accelerometers to track the position and orientation of body segments and use flywheels to provide a "viscous resistance" during movements to replicate the sensation of gravity during movements in 0-G.

The successful development and integration of the V2Suit will be a be an enabler for several proposed space exploration mission technologies, including human health and adaptation countermeasures, autonomous health monitoring, human robotic interfaces, and adaptation and operations during artificial gravity. It will initially fill a void in the spaceflight health and performance countermeasures program, by enabling a training curriculum and countermeasures for sensorimotor adaptation. This type of countermeasure suit also has hearth benefits, particularly in gait or movement stabilization for the elderly, or rehabilitating individuals. In addition, with knowledge of the environment and the planned task, the system could be commanded to enforce "keep out zones" -- spatial regions that if penetrated with a body limb could cause harm to either the person or the equipment.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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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