Future Astronauts Could Wear Personalised 'Skin' With 3D-Printed Spacesuits
Spacesuits can be uncomfortable and difficult to manage especially because they're built on the false premise that a few different sizes would fit all. Between 1961 and 1972, astronauts of the Apollo missions received custom spacesuits made from beta cloth (a fabric made of woven glass coated with fireproof Teflon)
Astronauts of the future could sport a 3D-printed "second skin" of sorts, if a researcher's work holds its ground. Bonnie Dunbar from the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) programme wants all space suits to be fully customisable.
In conversation with Popular Science, Dunbar explained how a spacesuit is essentially a "human-shaped spacecraft." Dunbar's concept for a spacesuit was among 12 chosen by NASA to get $175,000 in funding this year. Over the next nine months, Dunbar will spend time on researching the feasibility of her design.
Twitter
Building spacesuits for digital twin
With help from 3D printers, Dunbar wants able to build the spacesuits digitally, then "look at how it will perform mechanically, and then manufacture it." Essentially, the suits are built using a 3D image based on a digital twin of any individual. Based on this, Dunbar can tweak and toy with the design to cater to everyone's needs.
iStock
Spacesuits can be uncomfortable and difficult to manage especially because they're built on the false premise that a few different sizes would fit all. Between 1961 and 1972, astronauts of the Apollo missions received custom spacesuits made from beta cloth (a fabric made of woven glass coated with fireproof Teflon). Dunbar wants to bring that back!
Also read: We May Wear This Spacesuit Helmet Soon, If COVID-19 Continues To Be A Threat
Dunbar's goal? To create spacesuits that fit everyone and offer good mobility to the extent that the wearer doesn't "know you have it on."
iStock
The spacesuits may not be a reality now, but the time could be extremely near. Vincent Duffy from Purdue University is working with Dunbar as a human digital-modelling expert told PopSci that the "technology is there." The team now needs to put it all together to demonstrate "the proof of concept."
Also read: NASA's Next Spacesuit Has A Built-In Toilet So Astronauts Can Even Live In Them If Needed
What do you think about customisable spacesuits? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.
References
Saha, P., & Woodall, T. (2022, March 15). Future astronauts and space tourists could rock 3D printed ¡®second skin.¡¯ Popular Science.
I live for all-things-technology - gadgets, novel climate solutions, and startups that are changing the game. In my leisurely hours, you can find me binge watching science fiction films, writing poetry, or dancing to pop anthems.
Read More
