Investigating Spacesuit Mobility in Spaceflight Operations Using Motion Capture Technology

The Spacesuit Utilization of Innovative Technology Laboratory (SUIT Lab) research at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University aims to research methods for recording, analyzing and optimizing motion capture data for spacesuit mobility. Understanding how spacesuits restrict astronaut mobility allows the SUIT Lab to gain hands-on experiential learning and support industry with the standardization of procedures for spacesuit operations. Mobility analysis includes upper body motions such as flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction of the arms as well as intravehicular and extravehicular activities. The lab makes use of a professional-grade motion capture system and the David Clark Company U2 Pressure Suit to collect preliminary motion data. Lessons learned will be applied to range of exploration activities including mobility for planetary exploration, emergency capsule egress, and the creation of virtual reality simulations. The lab research will provide future spacesuit manufactures and spaceflight operators with a greater understanding of spacesuit mobility restrictions, and how to improve designs