SpaceX Embarrassed NASA With Their High Tech SpaceSuit
Regardless of whether the space setting is science fiction or science fact, there is one item that always captures the eye: the spacesuit. Indeed, we are all familiar with the thrill and awe we feel when we see astronauts wearing upgraded spacesuits.
SpaceX, being who they are, has released a new spacesuit design that is unlike anything NASA has ever produced. What makes this sophisticated spacesuit so different from anything NASA has ever created? Join us as we investigate each aspect of the spacesuit.
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SpaceX's High-Tech Space Suit
The flight suits worn by Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken during last year's Crew Dragon mission are a far cry from the bulky orange shuttle flight suits worn by astronauts during their most recent launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, as well as any other spacesuit worn by astronauts from other countries.
However, before we go any further, let's define what space suits are. Astronauts wear a spacesuit, also known as an EMU, an acronym for Extravehicular Mobility Unit, in order to survive the harsh environment of outer space, which includes vacuum and temperature extremes.
Extravehicular activity (EVA), or labour performed outside the spaceship, necessitates the use of spacesuits.
For such tasks, space suits have been worn in Earth orbit, on the Moon's surface, and on the journey from the Moon back to Earth.
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Space Suits
Modern space suits add a complex collection of technologies and environmental systems to the basic pressure garment in order to keep the user comfortable, reduce the effort required to bend the limbs, and combat the tendency of a soft pressure garment to harden in a vacuum.
Typically, an independent oxygen supply and environmental control system are utilised to offer complete independence from the spacecraft. There are three varieties of spacesuits: IVA, EVA, and IEVA.
Since they are designed to be worn within a pressurised spaceship, IVA suits are lighter and more comfortable. The Gemini G4C suit is an example of an IEVA suit that may be worn inside and outside of a spacecraft.
They provide improved protection against the harsh conditions of space, such as micrometeoroids and extreme temperature fluctuations. EVA suits, such as the EMU, are used for planetary exploration and spacewalks outside of ships.
Clearly, there are numerous models and designs of spacesuits, but the majority of them are variations on the same design. The SpaceX suit, however, drastically alters the situation. The spacesuits currently used by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are somewhat outdated.
In February 2015, SpaceX began construction of a spacesuit for astronauts to wear inside the Dragon 2 spacecraft. Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, and Jose Fernandez, a costume designer famed for his work on superhero and science-fiction films, collaborated on its appearance.
Initial images of the suit were released in September 2017. During the inaugural launch of the Falcon Heavy in February 2018, the SpaceX spacesuit was worn by a mannequin named "Starman" (after David Bowie's song of the same name).
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Space Suit
The suit was neither pressurised nor equipped with sensors when it was introduced at the expo. The vacuum-compatible suit provides protection against cabin depressurization with a single tether at the astronaut's thigh that supplies air and electronic connections.
Included in the 3D-printed helmets are microphones and speakers. Since the suits require a tether connection and do not provide radiation protection, they cannot be used for extravehicular activities. In 2018, NASA commercial crewmembers Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley tested the spacesuit aboard the Dragon 2 spacecraft to familiarise themselves with it.
They wore it for the launch of Crew Dragon Demo-2 on May 30, 2020. Astronauts participating in Commercial Crew Program missions with SpaceX don the suit. touchscreen-sensitive gloves and 3D-printed headgear.
However, their primary job has not changed: protecting crew members against depressurization, which occurs when the capsule loses air pressure. The suits also ensure that astronauts have sufficient oxygen and a comfortable body temperature.
A single "umbilical" wire in the seat provides a communications link and air supply to the suit. In spite of the fact that SpaceX's spacesuits have already surpassed NASA's own designs, we must examine SpaceX's competitors.
Boeing, the same venerable firm that has been competing with SpaceX for the right to launch NASA's missions, is the obvious candidate. For the contract with NASA to transport humans to the space station in its CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, Boeing has created a pressure suit to protect passengers during the critical launch and re-entry phases.
Boeing Blue suits are 40% lighter and more flexible than previous generations of American astronaut spacesuits.To keep astronauts cool, they are equipped with multiple inside layers.
Also included are touchscreen-sensitive gloves, allowing astronauts to utilise iPads in space. The soft, hood-like helmet includes a wide polycarbonate visor to improve Starliner passengers' peripheral vision on their journey to space.
Thanks to zippers in the torso region, astronauts will be able to switch from sitting to standing more effortlessly. In October 2019, NASA released a close-up look at two next-generation suits for the Artemis programme.
One of the suits is the Orion Crew Survival System, which is identical to the suits used by SpaceX and Boeing. It resembles the "pumpkin suits" worn by astronauts on the space shuttle, but is significantly lighter.
The Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit suit, often known as the xEMU, is designed to be worn on the surface of the Moon. It is larger than the pressure suits astronauts wear inside spacecraft.
Due to the need to shield the user from temperature swings outside the spacecraft's walls, this is the case. In addition, it is designed to provide some protection against micrometeorites and other minute space debris.
Comparable to the suits previously used for spacewalks at the International Space Station in these respects (ISS), two suits are used for spacewalks aboard the International Space Station.
One of these is the Russian Orlan type, which was introduced in December 1977. The Orlan spacesuit consists of a single piece. The spacewalker can crawl inside by opening the "backpack" like a refrigerator door.
NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Suit (EMU) was introduced in 1981 and is the other suit used on the space station. The EMU, unlike the Orlan, consists of two halves: a bottom half and a top half.
Outside in the space vacuum, the semi-rigid suit provides around 8.5 hours of life support to its wearer. The EMU was also the name of the suit worn on the Moon by the Apollo astronauts. Nonetheless, it was distinct from the current version.
It was the result of years of effort. Since the first spacewalk by the late cosmonaut Alexei Leonov in March 1965, spacesuits have gone a long way, and SpaceX's Starman suit is a descendant of this line of study and innovation.
We wish there was more information available about the suit, but it appears SpaceX wishes to keep it a trade secret due to China's technological advances and ambitions to directly challenge the United States in a brand new space race.
As indicated by the fact that established industry companies are still using spacesuit technologies from the cold war era, SpaceX has had its work cut out for it.
The Z series was a spacesuit design that was not adopted by NASA. It was designed as a prototype set of extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuits as part of the Advanced Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AEMU) project of NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) programme.
The suits were designed for use in both microgravity and planetary EVAs. Ultimately, however, it appears NASA lacked the confidence to deploy it for spaceflight, and this is a difficulty SpaceX will need to overcome very soon.
Only then can we determine whether or not they have genuinely made a difference once more. Tell us what you think of SpaceX's efforts to create the most advanced spacesuit ever created by mankind in the comment section below.
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FAQ About SpaceX's High-Tech Space Suit
What Exactly Are Space Suits For?
Astronauts wear a spacesuit, also known as an EMU, an acronym for Extravehicular Mobility Unit, to protect them from the harsh atmosphere of outer space.
What Features Do Modern Space Suits Contain?
Modern space suits add a complex collection of technologies and environmental systems to the basic pressure garment in order to keep the user comfortable, reduce the effort required to bend the limbs, and combat the tendency of a soft pressure garment to harden in a vacuum.
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