Simpler Space Suits?

I'm thinking that most people don't think about these things the way we do. The design of Sandra Bullock's space suit (it actually looks a lot like a Project Gemini spacesuit where breathable air was provided from within the spacecraft) was designed more for how it would look on screen. I don't think anyone gave a second thought about how she would breathe out there. In Star Trek, the original series, they used rather bulky spacesuits, I think on the assumption that they wouldn't use them very often at all. Spacesuit design in the movies seems to be based on the available budget and what the art department thinks would look best. It's not a documentary, after all. They're just trying to tell a story.

Hat is a very good idea. If you want to work on an Earth bound practical prototype, look into diving gear, specificaly the Re-breather ' systems. They incorporate a small MPU with sensors to controll the O2 and CO2 that divers have in a recirculating system. I would love to see such a system become Open Source to prevent Space Exploration being limited to big companies and countries.

Scuba drivers have chemical rebreathers that are highly efficient and doesn't need electricity. Also pure Oxigen atmosphere is not flammable, as a start, you need some combustible, and that's easy to avoid inside a suit. Then also, you can go with low pressure oxygen, reducing the risk even more. Apollo used 100% oxigen atmosphere for the suits and the capsules at lower than atmosferic pressures (4psi) with no problem. Apolo 1 fire was caused by Oxygen at high pressure (They needed to maintain the positive pressure of the spacecraft even at sea level for the seals to work properly). At high pressures, normally non-flamable objects can burn easily, but the main culprit was some nylon wrapping (seems non-officially there). On later flights, they added 40% nitrogen for the launch, which was slowly vented out with time until reach the 100% Oxigen level.

You could even make the carbon capture filter out of porous graphite, as it's conductive.

Need something quick, since NASA EVA suits are almost all out of service.

Thanks for sharing!

There’s also the matter of water vapor that would have to be removed so it doesn’t fog the window or interfere with any electronics. It would require some kind of desiccant system.

That only can happen if we manage not to destroy ourselves

Very cool

All the new suits were designed to help folks who used to ask the obvious question: “Does this spacesuit make me look fat”?🎉

We also exhale a substantial portion of the total oxygen in the form of H2O, not only CO2. You can also extract O2 from the water by electrolysis. The balance is such that it would be approximately enough to use only the oxygen in exhaled CO2. If you use all the O in both exhaled CO2 and H2O, you end up with more O2 than you inhaled. The excess O comes from the carbohydrates you eat and drink.

We need to improve space suits. That involves Oxygen replenishing, carbon dioxide disposal, humidity and temperature control, and maintaining viable air pressure for the whole body. In addition, radiation protection, body waste disposal and space walk safety gear is a must. Good luck for all space suit designers. Thanks

Did anything ever come of MIT's work on mechanical backpressure space suits? It was a really hot topic in 2010 to 2012.

The sooner they can design a suit that looks like 2001 a space Odyssey the cooler it will be.

Thanks Fran

I have a friend here in Brazil that looks like you, even have similar way to talk and the laugh. She is also so smart, like you.. You both are the fractal pattern that repeats in different places. This amazes me so much.

You mean a rebreather? Something similar is already used in diving.

Why the question mark in the title?

I wonder if submarines use such a system? Or could? Power wouldn't be a problem. I saw a pressure suit at the Wright Patterson Air Force that was a lot like a very basic spacesuit. You could probably use it in space for a very short time , say, for going from one ship to the next in an emergency.

Idly wonder, would some sort of pressure suit with gasses be useful going up everest