Three years ago, NASA introduced a new spacesuit designed for future Moon missions. However, progress stalled, and the suits disappeared from the spotlight. It turned out that NASA was behind schedule and over budget. To speed things up, NASA launched a competition for companies to design a new suit for the Artemis missions.
SpaceX, known for its Intravehicular Activity (IVA) suit, seemed like a natural partner for NASA. Surprisingly, SpaceX chose not to bid for the contract. Instead, they had been independently developing an Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suit, following their own path, much like they did with their first suit.
SpaceX began its spacesuit journey in 2015 by hiring Jose Fernandez, a Hollywood costume designer. After creating a sleek design, SpaceX engineers worked to ensure it was functional. This suit is primarily for keeping astronauts safe inside the spacecraft, not for spacewalks. Compared to other pressure suits, SpaceX’s design is notably sleeker. How did they achieve this?
Traditional spacesuits are often one-size-fits-all due to high production costs. On the International Space Station (ISS), suits are modular but not tailored, leading to discomfort and injuries. SpaceX tackled this by making custom suits for each astronaut, improving fit and functionality.
Mobility is a significant challenge in spacesuit design. When pressurized, suits become stiff, making movement difficult. Designers have used various techniques to address this. For larger joints, mechanical bearings allow movement without changing the suit’s volume. For smaller joints, rubber pleats help with bending, though they don’t mimic natural movement.
SpaceX’s custom suits align joints with the astronaut’s anatomy, enhancing mobility. However, bending a sealed air-filled tube is still challenging. SpaceX reinforced each joint with criss-cross tensioners, aiding movement. The suit’s pressure helps extend the joint back, similar to a spider’s leg.
Reducing air pressure in suits can improve mobility but increases decompression sickness risk. SpaceX’s suit meets NASA’s minimum requirement of 40 kilopascals to prevent this. The suit uses a custom air mixture with higher oxygen, adjustable by the life support system.
SpaceX streamlined pressure management with a single port for air, power, and communication, plus a quick inflation port for emergencies. An umbilical cord connects the suit to the astronaut’s seat, where solenoid valves regulate air pressure. A separate valve allows chilled nitrox to cool the suit during reentry. Helmet sensors provide real-time data, automating pressure adjustments and eliminating bulky external valves.
This innovation reduces the suit’s weight and simplifies the donning process. Unlike Space Shuttle suits, which took over 20 minutes to put on with help, SpaceX suits allow astronauts to suit up independently in minutes.
SpaceX’s approach to spacesuit design showcases their commitment to innovation and efficiency. By focusing on custom fits and streamlined systems, they’ve created a suit that enhances astronaut safety and mobility. As space exploration continues to evolve, SpaceX’s advancements in spacesuit technology will likely play a crucial role in future missions.
Imagine you are part of SpaceX’s design team. Create a detailed sketch of a spacesuit that addresses both mobility and safety. Consider the challenges discussed in the article, such as pressure management and joint mobility. Present your design to the class and explain how it improves upon traditional suits.
Conduct a case study analysis comparing SpaceX’s custom spacesuit approach with traditional NASA suits. Identify the key differences in design, functionality, and innovation. Discuss how these differences impact astronaut performance and mission success. Share your findings in a group presentation.
Participate in a simulation exercise where you manage the air pressure of a virtual spacesuit. Use software to adjust pressure levels and observe the effects on mobility and safety. Reflect on the challenges SpaceX faced and propose solutions to optimize pressure management in future suit designs.
Join a hands-on workshop to explore the mechanics of joint mobility in spacesuits. Use materials like rubber bands and mechanical bearings to create models of suit joints. Experiment with different configurations to understand how SpaceX’s criss-cross tensioners enhance movement. Discuss your observations with peers.
Engage in a debate on the merits of SpaceX’s independent approach to spacesuit design versus collaborating with NASA. Consider factors such as innovation, cost, and efficiency. Formulate arguments for both sides and participate in a class debate to explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of each approach.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
—
This video is supported by Established Titles. Three years ago, NASA unveiled its next-generation spacesuit, designed to allow humans to walk on the Moon. However, after this announcement, there was little progress, and the spacesuits were not seen again. It was revealed that NASA was 20 months behind schedule and millions of dollars over budget with the program. To expedite the development of a new spacesuit for the upcoming Artemis missions, NASA initiated a competition, inviting other companies to design the best suit.
At that time, SpaceX already had its own Intravehicular Activity (IVA) suit, leading many to believe that partnering with NASA to create an Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suit would be the logical next step. Surprisingly, SpaceX did not submit a bid for this contract. Instead, they had been independently working on an EVA suit for years and preferred to continue their own development path, similar to their approach with their first suit.
In this video, we will explore how SpaceX perfected its spacesuit design and the key breakthroughs that made it possible. Additionally, we will be giving away an exciting Saturn V Lego set at the end of the video and announcing the winner of the previous giveaway, so stay tuned!
SpaceX began developing its first spacesuit back in 2015 when it hired Hollywood costume designer Jose Fernandez. After several months of designing a sleek suit, SpaceX engineers were tasked with reverse engineering it to ensure functionality. It’s important to note that this suit is primarily for keeping astronauts safe inside the spacecraft, rather than for use during spacewalks. When compared to other pressure suits, SpaceX’s suit has a much sleeker appearance—how is this achieved?
To understand this, we need to examine traditional spacesuit design. Historically, spacesuits have been one-size-fits-all due to their high production costs. On the International Space Station (ISS), EVA suits are modular, but generally, suits are not tailored to individual astronauts, often resulting in bruises and injuries after spacewalks. SpaceX addressed this issue by creating custom-made suits that fit each crew member perfectly. This not only provides a better fit but also enhances overall functionality.
One of the significant challenges in spacesuit design is mobility. When pressurized, a suit inflates like a balloon, becoming rigid and stiff. When an astronaut bends a joint, the suit’s volume decreases, compressing the air inside and creating resistance. Over the years, designers have developed various solutions to this problem. For larger joints like wrists and shoulders, mechanical bearings allow movement without altering the suit’s volume. For smaller joints like fingers, rubber pleats are used to facilitate bending, although this does not mimic natural finger movement.
With SpaceX’s custom suits, joints can be aligned precisely with the astronaut’s anatomy, enhancing mobility. However, bending a sealed air-filled tube remains challenging. To address this, each joint on the SpaceX suit is reinforced with criss-cross tensioners, aiding the astronaut in bending the joint inward. The suit’s pressure then assists in extending the joint back to its original position, similar to how a spider’s leg operates.
Another method to improve mobility is to reduce the air pressure within the suit. The Space Shuttle suit operated at a pressure of 24 kilopascals, significantly lower than Earth’s atmospheric pressure. While lowering pressure can enhance mobility, it also increases the risk of decompression sickness, where nitrogen in the body forms bubbles in the bloodstream. This is a concern for deep-sea divers as well, who must ascend slowly to avoid similar issues. Many spacesuits require astronauts to undergo pre-breathing with pure oxygen to eliminate nitrogen from their systems before donning the suit.
SpaceX’s suit had to meet NASA’s minimum requirement of 40 kilopascals to prevent decompression sickness. This pressure is relatively high compared to other suits, suggesting that SpaceX did not exceed this significantly. The air we breathe consists of 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen, but due to the lower pressure in the suit, astronauts would not receive enough oxygen. Some suits address this by using pure oxygen, while SpaceX’s suits utilize a custom air mixture with a higher oxygen percentage, adjustable by the onboard life support system.
What sets SpaceX’s suit apart is how it manages pressure. Traditional suits have multiple valves and pipes for pressure and temperature control, but SpaceX streamlined this into a single port for air circulation, power, and communication, along with a quick inflation port for emergencies. An umbilical cord connects the suit to the astronaut’s seat, where solenoid valves automatically regulate incoming air pressure. A separate valve allows chilled nitrox to flow into the suit’s air duct, keeping it cool during reentry. Sensors inside the helmet provide real-time data to the spacecraft, automating pressure adjustments and eliminating the need for bulky external valves.
This innovation not only reduces the suit’s weight compared to the Space Shuttle suit but also simplifies the donning process. In contrast to the Space Shuttle suits, which required over 20 minutes and assistance from technicians, SpaceX suits allow astronauts to suit up independently in just a few minutes.
While SpaceX astronauts may not need assistance with their suits, you might need help with holiday gifts this year. Consider making a friend or loved one feel special by gifting them a title of Lord or Lady this Christmas. Established Titles offers a unique way to support global reforestation efforts while preserving Scotland’s natural woodlands. Based on a historic Scottish custom, title packs provide one square foot of land on a private estate in Scotland, complete with an official certificate and crest. With each order, a tree is planted, supporting charities like One Tree Planted and Trees for the Future. To get your Christmas gift, visit establishedtitles.com/primalspace and use the code ‘primal space’ for a 10% discount. The first 200 people to purchase a title pack through the link below will have plots adjacent to mine, creating our own little Primal Space land.
Now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the winner of the Space Shuttle Lego set is… Sarah Hambrick! Congratulations! A Space Shuttle is on its way to you. If you didn’t win, don’t worry—due to the great response from the last video, we’re hosting another giveaway. In the next video, we’ll be giving away a Saturn V Lego set! To enter, simply sign up at the link below and leave a comment about what excites you most in the world of spaceflight. We will announce the winner in next month’s video. Thank you for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video!
—
This version maintains the original content while removing any promotional or potentially sensitive language.
Suit – A garment designed to protect the wearer from the harsh conditions of space, often equipped with life-support systems. – The astronaut’s suit is engineered to withstand extreme temperatures and provide oxygen during spacewalks.
Astronaut – A person trained to travel and perform tasks in space, often conducting scientific experiments and research. – The astronaut conducted a series of experiments on microgravity’s effects on plant growth.
Mobility – The ability to move or be moved freely and easily, especially in the context of mechanical systems or spacesuits. – Engineers improved the suit’s mobility to allow astronauts to perform complex tasks during extravehicular activities.
Pressure – The force exerted per unit area, often measured in pascals, crucial in understanding fluid dynamics and atmospheric conditions. – The pressure inside the spacecraft must be carefully regulated to ensure the safety of the crew.
Design – The process of creating plans, drawings, or models to show the look and function of an engineering project or system. – The design of the new space probe incorporates advanced materials to withstand high radiation levels.
Innovation – The introduction of new ideas, methods, or devices, often leading to advancements in technology and engineering. – Innovation in propulsion technology has significantly reduced travel time to Mars.
Engineering – The application of scientific and mathematical principles to design and build structures, machines, and systems. – Aerospace engineering focuses on developing new technologies for aircraft and spacecraft.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite expanse beyond Earth’s atmosphere where celestial bodies exist and human exploration occurs. – Understanding the properties of space is essential for planning long-duration missions to other planets.
NASA – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a U.S. government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. – NASA’s latest mission aims to explore the surface of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons.
Activity – A specific task or set of tasks performed as part of a larger project, often involving research or experimentation in a scientific context. – The primary activity during the mission was to deploy the satellite into its designated orbit.
