6. Flexible spacesuits
The spacesuits for Apollo were clumsy. If an astronaut needed to pick up something off the ground, bending at the waist wasn't possible, which meant astronauts tended to fall down quite a bit. NASA had to build all kinds of tools to make up for spacesuits' limitations, but a new spacesuit promises to change all that. In June, NASA announced a contract with Oceaneering International Inc. for the Constellation Program suits. Designs show two suits: One that works best inside the cabin and another that has more metal elements for spacewalks and moon jaunts. Having humans in space is a critical component of the mission. That's because although robots do a decent job, says Connolly, a human can do in hours what it would take a robotic rover weeks to accomplish.
7. Dust repellant
Neil Armstrong's spacesuit in the Smithsonian isn't gray because it's old, Connolly says. It's actually covered in glass-like lunar dust. The sharp edged, electrostatically charged particles cling to everything, including ball bearings, camera lenses, and it's probably not healthy for humans, either. To combat the dust, NASA is developing a system to statically chase the dust away. Connolly confides, "I wish I could use one of these in my house."
8. Water recycling
When crews consume water, the waste water is jettisoned out the side, which is not only wasteful but means more weight has to be carried than necessary. Reclaiming that water, processing and reusing it makes the operation lighter and less expensive. Water recovery systems have advanced to the point where nearly 100 percent of the water can be retained. Wastewater -- yuck -- goes through a stringent filtration process until it is better than tap water. Connolly says, "I have consumed this water and it's pretty good. It tastes like bottled water, to be honest."
9. Radiation protection
"Space is kind of nasty," Connolly says. Far from Earth's protective shield, astronauts are exposed to intense amounts of radiation, which can degrade bones and cause heart and muscle problems. In addition to weak bones and muscles caused by zero gravity, astronauts can be exposed to intense amounts of radiation as they venture far from Earth's protective magnetic shield. NASA's Human Research Program unites researchers from the Johnson Space Center, Langley, and Ames Research Centers to figure out how to design more protective vehicles, monitor exposure, and set recommendations for safe exposure limits.
10. Space
How could anyone not have space in space? Just look to the astronauts who shared the size of a phone booth between two people for weeks during the Gemini capsule launches of the 1960s. An initiative in NASA's Human Research Program, called Space Human Factors and Habitability, is developing ways to make space travel less cramped. Researchers are looking at arm reach and how it is affected by donning spacesuits. With better information, the Constellation Program will have interiors that are quieter, roomier, and closer to a home away from home.
Got comments? Post them to Alyssa Danigelis' blog or send me an email at discoverytech@discovery.com.
