Meeting the challenge of manned lunar and Martian exploration

As the U.S. space program plans for a return to the Lunar surface and ultimately for a mission to Mars, space units and portable life support systems will have to keep pace to meet the exploration mission requirements. The systems currently in use with the Shuttle program will not be adequate for exploration on the Martian surface or for extensive exploration and work on the Lunar surface. Currently, there are too many unknowns regarding locomotion and work physiology in reduced gravity to accurately design advanced suits and life support systems for routine extravehicular activity (EVA). It would be unwise and costly to arbitrarily develop new designs without first studying how the human body moves and works in these environments. This paper discusses the current state of the art of EVA space suit and PLSS design to meet the need of advanced exploration missions. Current research underway in the Extravehicular Systems Branch at Ames Research Center aimed at advanced system design is highlighted