Spacesuit simulation for the pre-Mars training purpose

Dressed in a spacesuit I step into the bright space. The background is black.

Research Assistant for Michael Lye at RISD.

Creating realistic simulation of the spacesuit experience for the NASA HI-SEAS mission. We designed the suit that will provide astronauts in training on Earth with the feeling of being in space. Working on the suit was extremely valuable for my work because all people are disable in space – which makes spacesuit an ultimate assistive technology.

The challenge we were facing was that the suit needed to be adjustable to accommodate a testing crew of people of difference sizes. Below on the left you can see Andrzej Stewart - Hi-SEAS crew member - wearing the suit, he is above 6 feet. On the right, you can see me wearing the suit, and I am slightly above 5 feet.

Testing suit with the tall astronaut

Andrzej Stewart testing the suit

Me (short woman)wearing the suit and stepping into the space capsule mock up.

Me testing the suit and stepping into space capsule model

I worked on designing the suit, as well as building it.

Design phase

Sketch of the adjustable sleeve
Sketch of the elastic upper torso
Sketches of ideas for spacesuit
Render of the expanded suit naming each element. Simply showing the complexity of the build.
Render of the expended torso from the side, naming elements. Showing the complexity of the build.

Build phase

Foam mold for carbon fiber
Carbon fiber pattern in paper on the working bench
Carbon fiber torso in the mold
Ready carbon fiber torso before painting with the face shield
Machining the clamping system for ball bearings

Final product

Ready suit, view through the face opening inside the suit, showing the drinking spout and shoulder straps.
Ready suit open in half, showing the green lining , and the details of the aluminum ring locking top part to the bottom part.
Astronaut standing in the suit next to big NASA logo on the wall.

Icelandic geologist Helga Kristín wearing the MS1 Mars analog spacesuit.  (Image credit: Dave Hodge/Unexplored Media)
Source: space.com