MIT May Have The Answer To The Question About What Tomorrow's
Space Travelers May Be Wearing
During the 2007 World Space Expo, ANN's Aero-TV teams came upon
something that would have looked like a space suit... if only there
had been more of it -- or so we thought. Upon close examination,
though, we found out that this suit -- the Bio-Suit, was indeed a
space suit and that in years hence (and not so many as one might
imagine), this will be "unform of the day" for spacefarers.
MIT tells ANN that, "At the MIT Man Vehicle Laboratory we have
been pursuing EVA research for well over a decade. Our previous
research has focused on quantifying the capabilities and
limitations of the current Space Shuttle spacesuit, known as the
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). We developed analytical models
of the EMU and validated these through experiments with a
pressurized EMU and state-of-the-art robotic technology (see image
on left). The results have been used to enhance astronaut training,
increase crew operational efficiency and optimize mission
planning."
The big problem with space suits is just that... they ARE big.
And while they are in no uncertain terms, magnificent constructs,
they're awfully large, heavy, expensive and just plain bulky...
which makes them less than user-friendly... in ANY environment. MIT
posits that current suits, "...being based on a gas-filled pressure
suit concept, current spacesuits also considerably restrict the
astronaut's range of motion compared to an unsuited human -
particularly disadvantageous for extraterrestrial surface traversal
where climbing, squatting and other such motions must be regularly
performed."
This is where the Bio-Suit comes in. By building a suit that is
lighter and more maneuverable, the suit becomes far more useable
and adaptable to a number of environments where it also eases the
workload and comfort for those who use it. Extensive research into
medicine, engineering and a number of exotic new technologies make
the Bio-Suit possible.
MIT explains the fundamentals of the Bio-Suit as a device that
"would provide life support through mechanical counter-pressure
where pressure is applied to the entire body through a
tight-fitting suit with a helmet for the head. Wearable
technologies will be embedded in the Bio-Suit layers and the outer
layer might be recyclable. Hence, images of 'spraying on' the inner
layer of the Bio-Suit System emerge, which offers design advantages
for extreme, dusty, planetary environments."
ANN thanks MIT Prof. Dava J. Newman, Professor of Aeronautics
& Astronautics and Engineering Systems/Director, Technology and
Policy Program and her team for their kind assistance with this
program.
Come Check Out The 'Bio-Suit' With
Aero-TV!!!
About Aero-TV: It's DEFINITELY Show
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If you've been an observer of the media and associated media
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Electronic media and print media are both under the assault of
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We've been ready to go for a while, but to be honest, there's so
much more to this program than we've alluded to, and so we've been
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E-I-C Note: The
complete feature shown above is embedded in this
story, with most of the slick and useful functionality
otherwise available on the main Aero-TV
site (which will be upgraded aggressively
over the next few weeks). The ability to embed a video on
another web page is but one of the hundreds of amazing little
features that we've worked hard on, for many months now, to
implement in different phases of the initial release of
Aero-TV. It is, BY NO MEANS, the only way to enjoy unaltered
Aero-TV programming on other parts of the web... as we have
extensive plans for future functionality, but this feature
allows those with an interest in a specific Aero-TV News or Feature
program to embed it on a different web site, though we must
note that we reserve the right to forbid such use for those sites
or purposes that we do not feel fit in with the proper mission of
the Aero-News Network, Inc.
Webmasters or Administrators of well-trafficked aviation or
aerospace related sites, are welcome to contact the Publisher to
start conversations on how they may be able to leverage some of the
immense power of Aero-TV programming for their sites and
constituency by clicking the I Want Aero-TV For
MY Website! link.
Coming Soon!
Aero-TV Shows You How To Build A Glasair Sportsman
2+2 in RECORD TIME, Gets Up Close And Personal With the Newest
Continental Powerplant To Grace A Cessna, Gets A Sobering Briefing
From P.A.S.S., Flies The Piper Matrix, Hears What's Hot At Blue
Moutain Avionics, Checks Out More "HIGH" Tech at I/ITSEC
2007, Hears From AOPA On Critical Aviation Issues, Spills Some
Juicy (and HIGHLY Detailed) Cirrus G3 Info, Shoots A Clarity Aloft
Headset Profile, Scores A BUNCH of LSA Reports, and SO
MUCH MORE!!!!! Do NOT Miss Them!
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