Current
Projects
Development
of a Glove Testing System for
Reduced Atmospheric Pressure
A new EVA
testing
glovebox, built by Gary L. Harris and the UND Space Suit Laboratory,
will allow
the testing of high mobility space gloves. Mobility of gloves under
pressurization is one of the main problems to be resolved in high
mobility
suits. Testing those space gloves requires a special chamber where
atmospheric
pressure can be reduced to near-space values in order to test different
designs. This testing facility will be the only one available outside
NASA and
Hamilton Sundstrand (the current manufacturers of the Space Shuttle
suit).
Development
of a
Liquid Cooling Ventilation Garment (LCVG) for NDX-1
and Future Space Suits
Even
though LCVGs have
been used since the Apollo lunar landings and currently are used in
both the
Space Shuttle EMU and the Russian Orlan, the technology needs to be
improved
and refined to the requirements of planetary exploration. Reusability,
reparability, comfort and operation in a contaminated environment are
some of
the unknowns that must be studied. The UND Space Suit Laboratory is
developing
a LCGV working prototype to test various concepts and approaches to
this
critical technology for EVA operations on the Moon or Mars.
Development
of a
Portable Life Support System (PLSS) for 1 G Testing
of the NDX-1 Space Suit
In order
to provide
autonomy for non-umbilical testing of the NDX-1, a small-footprint,
reduced-mass PLSS is being designed to support further testing of the
NDX-1 in
areas where operation with an umbilical system is not possible.
The operation of the NDX-1 with an external source of gas using a
compressor or
tank and umbilical cables (even if it provides more comfort to the test
subject
due to the reduced weight of the complete life support system) is not
feasible
for realistic testing purposes. Some field testing, far from power
sources,
calls for the development of a self-contained system to provide at
least one
hour of autonomy for gases and thermal control.
Development
of a
Rotational Shoulder Joint for Future Space Suit Applications
The
development of a new
ball-bearing joint and mobility system for shoulders is required to
support
NASAs next generation of space suits. A new joint, especially designed
to
provide safety in a dusty environment, will incorporate space-based
maintenance
and protection from contaminants.
Development
of a
Wireless Biomedical Sensor Package for Space Suits
A
complete wireless
biomedical sensor package including sensors to measure body
temperature, heart
rate, respiration, carbon dioxide levels, oxygen levels and internal
pressure
is in development for use in the NDX-1 and future space suit designs.
Additional
Field
Testing for the NDX-1 Space Suit
Additional
testing for
the NDX-1 was performed during spring 2007 at the Mars Society Desert
Research
Station (MDRS) in
Click HERE for the
Blog of the field testing.
The
preliminary video of
the test can be watched HERE
Spacecraft Simulator Facility
A
spacecraft simulator was designed and constructed by students from UND.
Click here for
more information