Nasa reveals 'Tron spacesuit' heading to orbit after public vote to choose new design


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Nasa has revealed the design chosen for its next generation spacesuits by a public vote - and a sci-fi inspired 'Tron' design has won.

This design now will be incorporated into the final version of the suit, which is expected to be ready for testing by November 2014.

Each iteration of the suit will test new technologies that one day will be used in a suit worn by the first humans to step foot on the Red Planet.

The new design will now be incorporated into the final version of the suit, which is expected to be ready for testing by November 2014. Each iteration of the suit will test new technologies that one day will be used in a suit worn by the first humans to step foot on the Red Planet.

The new design will now be incorporated into the final version of the suit, which is expected to be ready for testing by November 2014. Each iteration of the suit will test new technologies that one day will be used in a suit worn by the first humans to step foot on the Red Planet.

NASA'S PROTOTYPE Z-2 SUITS

The public was given three choices of suit design:

The Biomimicry suit was inspired by the ocean and has been designed to mirror 'the bioluminescent qualities of aquatic creatures found at incredible depths, and the scaly skin of fish and reptiles found across the globe.' 

The Technology suit 'pays homage to spacesuit achievements of the past while incorporating subtle elements of the future'.

It is fitted with Luminex wire and patches that emit light to make it easier to identify crew members during spacewalks, for example.

The Trends in Society suit is 'reflective of what every day clothes may look like in the not too distant future.'

It uses electroluminescent wire and a bright colour scheme to mimic the look of sportswear and wearable tech.

With 233,431 votes, the 'Technology' option has won NASA's Z-2 Spacesuit design challenge with just over 63% of the total vote.

Nasa's Z-2 is the latest prototype in the agency's Z range of spacesuits, and will be the successor to the its green and white Z-1 model unveiled in 2012.

 

The Technology suit, the eventual winner, 'pays homage to spacesuit achievements of the past while incorporating subtle elements of the future'.

It is fitted with Luminex wire, and patches that emit light to make it easier to identify crew members during spacewalks, for examples.

These patches are fitted to the upper and lower torso, alongside collapsing pleats that make movement easier.

It also has abrasion resistant panels on the lower torso.

The public was given a choice tof three designs.

The Biomimicry suit was inspired by the ocean and has been designed to mirror 'the bioluminescent qualities of aquatic creatures found at incredible depths, and the scaly skin of fish and reptiles found across the globe.'

Nasa said the design reflects the qualities that protect some of 'Earth's toughest creatures', and specifically includes segmented pleats at the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee.

It also features electroluminescent wire across the upper torso, which lights up in the dark.

Jeff Bridges in Tron:Legacy, the film believed to have inspired the design

Jeff Bridges in Tron:Legacy, the film believed to have inspired the design

The Technology suit, pictured, 'pays homage to spacesuit achievements of the past while incorporating subtle elements of the future'
It uses electroluminescent wire and a bright colour scheme to mimic the look of sportswear and wearable tech

The Technology model of the suit, pictured left, 'pays homage to spacesuit achievements of the past while incorporating subtle elements of the future.' It is fitted with Luminex wire and patches that emit light to make it easier to identify crew members during spacewalks, for example

HOW TO TEST A SPACESUIT

Besides the typical fit checks and mobility evaluations, NASA currently is planning a very comprehensive test campaign for the Z-2 suit.

Engineers will conduct multiple vacuum chamber tests, including one series at full vacuum, mimicking the lack of atmosphere found in space.

The suit will be tested at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, the huge indoor pool used to train astronauts to spacewalk.

Further testing at a site at Johnson that imitates the rocky Martian surface  will help evaluate the suit's mobility, comfort and performance. Ultimately, all of these tests will guide engineers in designing the Z-3.

With the Z-2, NASA will employ cover layer design elements, like electroluminescent wiring, never used before in a spacesuit.

Meanwhile, the Trends in Society suit is 'reflective of what every day clothes may look like in the not too distant future.'

It uses electroluminescent wire and a bright colour scheme to mimic the look of sportswear and wearable tech.

The design includes pleats with contrast stitching, plus electroluminescent wire and patches of varying styles across both the upper and lower torso.

The Z-2 will be made using 3D printed parts, while 3D human laser scans will be used to accurately size each suit to individual astronauts.

In a blog post, Nasa said: 'As spacesuit engineers, [we] have found ourselves with an exciting opportunity: the chance to make a suit with a look unlike any suit ever built before.

'The designs were created with the intent to protect the suit and to highlight certain mobility features to aid suit testing.

'To take it a step further, we are leaving it up you, the public, to choose which of three candidates will be built.'

The Z-2, Technology prototype pictured, will be made using 3D printed parts, while 3D human laser scans will be used to accurately size each suit to the astronaut. In a blog post, Nasa said the designs were created with the intent to protect the suit and to highlight certain mobility features to aid suit testing

The Z-2, Technology prototype pictured, will be made using 3D printed parts, while 3D human laser scans will be used to accurately size each suit to the astronaut. In a blog post, Nasa said the designs were created with the intent to protect the suit and to highlight certain mobility features to aid suit testing

The Biomimicry suit, pictured, was inspired by the ocean and has been designed to mirror 'the bioluminescent qualities of aquatic creatures found at incredible depths, and the scaly skin of fish and reptiles found across the globe'
It features electroluminescent wire across the upper torso, which lights up in the dark

The Biomimicry suit, pictured, was inspired by the ocean and has been designed to mirror 'the bioluminescent qualities of aquatic creatures found at incredible depths, and the scaly skin of fish and reptiles found across the globe.' It features electroluminescent wire, pictured right, on the upper torso that lights up in the dark

Despite claims it looked like a toy suit, Nasa's Z-1 suit, pictured, was named one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2012

Despite claims it looked like a toy suit, Nasa's Z-1 suit, pictured, was named one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2012

Nasa will now put the winning design into production before running it through tests at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston.

Technically, the Z-2 will be built to withstand and absorb impact, especially on the upper and lower torso.

Despite claims it looked like a toy suit, Nasa's Z-1 suit was named one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2012.

'After the positive response to the Z-1 suit's visual design we received, we wanted to take the opportunity to provide this new suit with an equally memorable appearance,' continued Nasa.

'The cover layer of a prototype suit is important as it serves to protect the suit against abrasion and snags during the rigors of testing.

'With the Z-2, we're looking forward to employing cover layer design elements never used in a spacesuit before. '

The designs were produced in collaboration with suit vendor ILC, and Philadelphia University.

Nasa's Z-2 is the latest prototype in the agency's Z range of spacesuits, and will be the successor to the Z-1 model unveiled in 2012. Nasa has created three designs calls Biomimicry, pictured,Technology and Trends In Society and is asking the public to vote for their favourite

Nasa's Z-2 is the latest prototype in the agency's Z range of spacesuits, and will be the successor to the Z-1 model unveiled in 2012. Nasa has created three designs calls Biomimicry, pictured,Technology and Trends In Society and is asking the public to vote for their favourite

The designs were produced in collaboration with suit vendor ILC, and Philadelphia University. The Trends In Society prototype is pictured

The designs were produced in collaboration with suit vendor ILC, and Philadelphia University. The Trends In Society prototype is pictured

The last time Nasa redesigned its astronauts spacesuits, the result looked like it had been inspired by Toy Story star Buzz Lightyear.

For its next model, Nasa is putting the decision-making process out to a public vote, and is asking people to choose from three protoypes.

Called Biomimicry, Technology, and Trends In Society the three suits have been inspired by nature, advances in space technology and how the agency thinks clothes of the future will look.

The Trends in Society suit, pictured, is 'reflective of what every day clothes may look like in the not too distant future.' It uses electroluminescent wire and a bright colour scheme to mimic the look of sportswear and wearable tech

The Trends in Society suit, pictured, is 'reflective of what every day clothes may look like in the not too distant future.' It uses electroluminescent wire and a bright colour scheme to mimic the look of sportswear and wearable tech




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