NASA Unveils Prototype Design for Next-Generation Spacesuit, Resembling Toy Story Character

    Those immigrating to the United States should pay attention to U.S. Technology: According to foreign media reports, the new NASA spacesuit adopts a biomimetic design, but the overall effect is quite unattractive. NASA has begun work on the design of its next-generation spacesuit, which must be capable of walking on other celestial bodies, such as Mars, the Moon, and asteroids—the three primary targets for NASA's future deep space exploration. NASA engineers are now collaborating with the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, seeking help from student designers to improve the appearance of future spacesuits. One design resembles Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story, while another draws inspiration from biomimicry, similar to certain bioluminescent marine organisms, though this particular suit is quite unsightly.

 

 

NASA spacesuits used during moon landings: During the Apollo program, NASA used new lunar spacesuits that met the requirements for walking on the lunar surface. In the era of the International Space Station, spacesuits carried by the Space Shuttle were equipped with small propulsion devices to ensure astronauts could move freely during extravehicular activities.

The Z-2 spacesuit differs from the Buzz Lightyear design: The recently unveiled Z-2 spacesuit is part of NASA's Z-series of extravehicular activity suits. The Z-2 comes in three designs, with the most notable feature being the connection between the life support system on the back and the helmet. The overall aesthetic is considered better than the Buzz Lightyear-based design. NASA has released the design proposals to the public, allowing people to vote for their favorite suit. The voting period was around mid-April 2014, and NASA will select the final design by the end of the year.

The Z-2 spacesuit design voting page is now open: Daniel Huot, a spokesperson for NASA's Johnson Space Center, stated that they have not yet tested the newly designed spacesuits in a simulated environment. As we look toward future landings on the Moon and Mars, the spacesuits must allow for free movement on both planets. NASA has launched a voting page for the Z-2 spacesuit design. The selected suit will be tested in a simulated Martian rock environment at the Johnson Space Center and will also undergo seal performance verification in a training pool that simulates the weightlessness of space, known as the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory.

The Buzz Lightyear spacesuit announced in 2012: The new spacesuit needs to be able to withstand impacts from micrometeoroids at certain speeds, while also providing radiation protection and temperature regulation. By the 2030s, astronauts landing on Mars will be wearing such suits. An engineering manager from the spacesuit design company stated that future spacesuits may include more wearable electronic devices and be capable of absorbing excess heat to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the suit.

Design of the Z-2 spacesuit: The final design review for the Z-2 spacesuit is currently underway. By 2017, the new spacesuit will be tested on the International Space Station, and a decision will be made on how many new suits to produce to meet NASA's needs for space walks and celestial surface landings. The new spacesuit is also designed with a lighting function to provide illumination if the environment on a celestial surface is dim.