CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 16 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists are developing a new type of spacesuit, designed to allow astronauts of the future to have significantly more mobility.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers note that during the 40 years humans have been traveling into space, the suits they wear have changed very little. The bulky outfits give astronauts a bubble of protection, while severely limiting their ability to move.
Dava Newman, a professor of aeronautics and astronautics engineering systems is developing a sleek, advanced suit called a BioSuit that incorporates spandex and nylon. But it's not your grandfather's spacesuit -- she says think more Spiderman and less John Glenn.
Newman, Jeff Hoffman and colleagues, along with Boston-area design firm Trotti and Associates, have been working on the project for about seven years. Their prototypes are not yet ready for space travel, but demonstrate what they're trying to achieve: a lightweight, skintight suit that will allow astronauts to become truly mobile lunar and Mars explorers.
Newman anticipates the BioSuit could be ready by the time the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is ready to launch an expedition to Mars -- possibly in about 10 years.
