Novel thermal management and life support technologies for planetary spacesuits

There is a critical need for advanced portable life support systems (PLSS) and thermal management technologies for extravehicular activity (EVA) on the surface of the Moon or Mars. NASA’s Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) is designed for EVA in low Earth orbit and requires the sublimation of consumable water to maintain a comfortable internal temperature. Furthering initial research by Hodgson et al in a design called the Chameleon Suit, this research will advance novel thermoregulation capabilities including thin, flexible, tunable electrochromic radiators integrated into the fabric of a spacesuit or PLSS backpack. This research will also investigate astronaut perspiration using micropores in a mechanical counterpressure (MCP) suit design. This combination of cooling methods will eliminate or drastically reduce the need for consumable water and reduce PLSS mass. This work will require computer simulation of the heat loads in both lunar and Martian EVA scenarios, thermal vacuum testing of several electrochromic device (ECD) and spacesuit layering configurations, and preliminary field testing of these materials on human subjects in analog science EVAs on Earth. Results of this research will provide unique benefits to the development of thermal management technologies for future EVA suits, small spacecraft and satellites, and space habitats.

There is a critical need for advanced portable life support systems (PLSS) and thermal management technologies for extravehicular activity (EVA) on the surface of the Moon or Mars. Results of this research will provide unique benefits to the development of thermal management technologies for future EVA suits, small spacecraft and satellites, and space habitats.

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