Premium
Advanced Materials for Future Lunar Extravehicular Activity Space Suit
Author(s) -
Weiss Peter,
Mohamed Makthoum Peer,
Gobert Thibaud,
Chouard Yann,
Singh Nisheet,
Chalal Theo,
Schmied Sibylle,
Schweins Matthias,
Stegmaier Thomas,
Gresser Götz T.,
Groemer Gernot,
Sejkora Nina,
Das Shumit,
Rampini Riccardo,
Hołyńska Małgorzata
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced materials technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.184
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2365-709X
DOI - 10.1002/admt.202000028
Subject(s) - regolith , space environment , astrobiology , space suit , spacecraft , durability , aerospace engineering , space exploration , space (punctuation) , systems engineering , materials science , mechanical engineering , construction engineering , aeronautics , computer science , engineering , physics , composite material , operating system , geophysics
This review focuses on advanced materials already used and suitable for application in (future) lunar extravehicular activity space suits. A historical and current literature/market survey is presented. Different functional layers of an astronaut garment are defined with emphasis on the external layers subjected to abrasive action of lunar regolith and degradation via exposure to space radiation/vacuum environment. Requirements are defined that would need to be fulfilled by these layers and suitable materials candidates are reviewed based on their key properties, including mechanical durability. Smart materials, combining additional functionalities, such as garment health monitoring, are also considered. The lead topic is the subject of an ongoing ESA‐funded research activity.