NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan, left,
tethered to the ISS while fi nalising repairs
on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer
polymer to keep the pressure of the
suit contained. It also has a ventilation
system to provide oxygen to the user,
a small foam block to scratch the nose,
and a protective visor on the outside of
this bubble to keep the pressure bubble
from getting bumped or scratched.
Furthermore, there is also a sun visor
and movable sun shades. The former
has a gold coating that works like the
astronaut’s sunglasses. Both, together,
provide protection from the sun’s strong
rays.
In total, the spacewalk space suit is
constructed from as many as 16 layers
of material that all perform di erent
functions: the cooling garment makes
up the rst three layers, followed by the
bladder layer, which is lled with gas to
create proper pressure for the body, and
holds in the oxygen. The next layer holds
the bladder layer to the correct shape
around the astronaut’s body while the
‘rip-stop liner’ acts as a tear-resistant
layer. The next several layers are insulation
and act like a thermos to help maintain
the temperature inside the suit, while
the white outer layer re ects heat from
sunlight. It is made of a fabric composed
of three kinds of threads: one thread
provides water resistance, another is used
to make bullet-proof vests, and the third is
re-resistant.
LIFE SUPPORT & MORE
Of course, what has been mentioned
above only makes up one of the main
parts of the spacewalk suit. Indeed, the
second part – the life support system,
which is housed in a backpack – is just as
critical.
This backpack holds the supplies
and equipment to make the suit work.
It includes the oxygen that astronauts
breathe and that pressurises the suit, as
well as a regulator to keep the suit at the
correct pressure. A fan also circulates
oxygen through the suit and life support
system where the carbon dioxide that
astronauts exhale is removed.
PPE – IN SPACE
Kitting up the Artemis generation astronauts
NASA’s Artemis programme is aiming to land the rst woman and next man on the
Moon by 2024. Using ‘innovative’ technologies, the aim is to explore more of the
lunar surface than ever before and use those learnings to take the next giant leap –
sending astronauts to Mars.
The new suit that will be worn on Artemis missions is called the Exploration
Extra-Vehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU). It shares most of the same basic elements as
the current spacewalk suit but also includes several new features and technological
advances, such as:
A suite of dust-tolerant features to prevent inhalation or contamination of the
suit’s life support system
Miniaturised electronics and plumbing systems, making it possible to build-in
duplicates for much of the life support system – increasing safety and making some
failures less of a concern
A new lower torso made from ‘advanced materials’ and joint bearings that allow
bending and rotating at the hips, increased bending at the knees, and hiking-style
boots
Shoulder enhancements so arms can more freely and easily lift objects
A redesigned communications system that scraps the Snoopy caps and replaces
them with a new audio system that includes multiple, embedded, voice-activated
microphones inside the upper torso that automatically pick up the astronaut’s voice
A rear-entry hatch to allow astronauts to climb into a spacesuit from the back of
the suit, as well as a quick-swap protective visor on the helmet.
Source: NASA (www.is.gd/uxifow)
22 www.operationsengineer.org.uk Autumn 2020
/uxifow)
/www.operationsengineer.org.uk