Smart spacesuit for extreme exploration
On Earth, gravity is a force our bodies have to work against, which keeps our cells, bones and muscles strong. Over a long-term space flight, human bodies undergo dramatic changes. As there is no need to walk, stand or lift in microgravity, their muscles atrophy. Furthermore, the cardiovascular system doesn't work as hard, resulting in fluids such as blood moving up from the lower body to the trunk. The heart rate increases and blood pressure rises. Within the EU-funded STAMAS (Smart technology for artificial muscle applications in space) project, research was undertaken on a new type of astronaut suit, designed to apply pressure to the entire body. Wearable technologies will be embedded into the suit to monitor and help maintain the astronaut's health and physical fitness during a space mission. The research was multi-pronged and intended to explore improvements to current spacesuit designs and to generate new ideas. Specifically, STAMAS researchers looked into cutting-edge materials such as shape memory alloys and electroactive polymers to turn their smartsuit vision into working prototypes suitable for human space explorers. Electroactive polymers change size and shape when stimulated by the right external electrical activation, and they enable movement and generate force. Shape memory alloys that 'remember' their original shape were explored as candidate materials to replicate natural muscles. Discussions between medical experts and the technical team concluded with a detailed description of on-board space requirements. To effectively adapt the current electromechanical actuator technology, new concepts of artificial muscles for biofeedback astronaut suits were tested on the International Space Station (ISS). Two demonstrators have been developed: one to address the physiological degradation of legs due to the effect of microgravity, and another to counter the hand fatigue during extra-vehicular activities. These devices will stimulate the space industry and are also likely to find terrestrial applications in rehabilitation and to support people with reduced mobility.
Keywords
Spacesuit, astronaut, STAMAS, artificial muscle, shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers
