Spacesuit Project

Explore Guide

PTC Creativity Lab 2013

PTC Creativity Lab

Spacesuit Project

Written by Ayora Berry

Copyright 2013, PTC

Notice of Rights

All rights reserved under copyright laws of the United States and other countries. You may reproduce and transmit this curriculum/tutorial for educational purposes only. All credit and trademark notices must accompany any such reproduction made in whole or in part. PTC, the PTC Logo, Creo View, and all PTC Product names and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of PTC and/its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. Jordan Cox (PTC), Alyssa Walker (Framingham State University, McAuliffe Center), & Alexander Ouellet (PTC).

Trademarks

Acknowledgements

Spacesuit Project

Explore Unit
The goal of this unit is to explore the background of the project challenge. To assist in this goal, we will begin by examining the project challenge, then gather background information and make sense of this research. At the end we will review what you learned.
Step 1: Get Started In this step the goal is to familiarize yourself with the project challenge, industry role profiles, and Creativity Notebook.

Step 2: Research The goal of this step is to gather background information about spacesuits and plant biomimicry.

Step 3: Analyze Research The goal of this step is to identify important themes as well as problems and opportunities you see with glider form and function.

Step 4: Explore Review The goal of this step is to review lessons learned during the Explore phase of the Spacesuit Project.

Spacesuit Project Challenge

Requirements:
> Spacesuit suitable for exploring Mars surface. > Inspired by plant form and function.

Design a Mars spacesuit inspired by plants.

Deliverables:
> Explore Review > Create Review > Industry Role presentation

Industry Roles preview

In your project one of the final assignments is to take on an industry role experience and develop a presentation piece like you would if you were working at a professional organization. Below are the six roles with their associated characteristics.

Creativity Notebook
Spacesuit Project

The objective of this practice is to document your creative process.

What is the purpose of a Creativity Notebook

A Creativity Notebook is a record of the creative process from beginning to end. Documenting the creative process gives you the opportunity to reflect on your research, save interesting ideas, or identify problems and opportunities in relation to your proejct challenge.

What type of information do I store in a Creativity Notebook?

You can store a variety of useful artifacts. In addition to writing your thoughts, you can include visual information such as photos, doodles, sketches, collages, and visual diagrams.

Research
Goal

Explore Unit

The goal of this step is to gather background information about spacesuits and plants.

Activities
History of Mars Missions

In this step we will explore past Mars missions and examine the pros and cons of sending robots or astronauts to Mars.

Spacesuits

In this step we will explore the technology of a spacesuit, conditions on Mars, and recent innovations in spacesuit design.

Plant Biomimicry

In this step we will explore examples of biomimicry in space technologies and examine plant adaptations.

Mars Astronaut vs. Robot

So far only robot rovers have made it to the surface of Mars. Future missions may include astronauts. Below are some pros and cons for both options. Can you think of other benefits or risks?

Astronaut PROS

Robot PROS

Humans can think on their feet, react to new situations, and adapt. Humans can repair broken equipment and solve other unforeseen problems. Travel greater distances and over different terrain. A successful human mission would drive further investments into Mars exploration from government and industry.

New technologies are improving the function of robots immensely. The Curiosity rover has a dozen lab instruments and runs on a nuclear battery. Robots can carry out precise analysis of air, soil, or liquid. Robots dont need to return to Earth which reduces travel cost. Robots dont need food or water which reduces supply cost.

Astronaut CONS

Robot CONS

1/3 of all space missions have failed. If a human Mars mission fails, loss of life is very likely. Astronauts require life supplies such as air, water, food, recycling, and shelter which are very costly to transport to Mars. There are many dangers on the way to Mars (e.g. meteorites, cosmic rays, emotional stress, muscle atrophy) There are many dangers on the surface of Mars (dust storms, radiation, equipment failure) Return flight is costly and technically challenging.

Robots have specific program options. Thus reaction to new stimuli is limited. Robots are dependent on commands from Earth which are very slow due to distances between Earth and Mars. Robots cant repair themselves. Robots have limited movement. For example, Curiosity can only move 650 ft. /day. Robot exploration may become so common that it does not excite public interest. This can hurt government and industry investment.

Images courtesy of NASA

Mars Missions
For many years humans have been fascinated with Mars, the Red Planet. Here are several reasons why Mars is a top choice for space exploration. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Humans love to explore. Mars is the closest planet to Earth. Mars is the most earth-like planet with mountains, deserts, and canyons. There is evidence of water, which is often linked to life. If protected with spacesuits, astronauts can survive on Mars.

1965. Mariner Mission. First successful imaging and fly by.

2011. Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover Mission. 1975. Viking Mission. Landed on Mars and returned data.

2007. Phoenix Mission. Probe discovers presence of water. 1997. Pathfinder Mission. Landed and delivered Sojourner rover.

2006. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Satellite data.

2004. Opportunity and Spirit rovers land on Mars.

Spacesuit Overview
Space suits are like miniature space ships. Astronauts need space suits to protect themselves from external elements such as extreme temperatures, low gravity, and debris. Inside the suit, they also need to meet basic needs such as breathing and going to bathroom. They also need to be able to move around, collect samples, make repairs and other functions necessary to space exploration.

Helmet Gloves

Upper Torso Primary Life Support System (PLSS)

Lower Torso

Did you know?

Boots Todays space suits weigh 300 pounds and cost 10 million dollars to make.

What is the function of each part?

Testing next generation NASA suits in Washington State

NASA astronaut using Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU)

Images courtesy of NASA; annotations added by author.

Spacesuit Conditions
If an astronaut is walking on the surface of the Moon or making repairs on the International Space Station, they face many dangers.

Danger!
Extreme temperatures
On the moon and in outer space, temperatures range from approximately +300 degrees to -300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Danger!
Micro-meteoroids
In outer space there are small meteorites traveling 20,000 mph (10 times faster than a bullet).

Danger!
Extreme pressures
Without a spacesuit an astronauts blood would boil and their body would vaporize.

Danger!
Air quality
On Mars the air is 95% C02 which is poisonous and on the Moon and in outer space there is no air to breathe.

Outer Space is 62 miles above sea level Zero gravity No air Temperatures range from +250 to -250 degrees Fahrenheit ~3,000 satellites in outer space Cosmic rays and meteorites are dangers for astronauts and space equipment

The Moon is a satellite of Earth 1/6 of earths gravity No air, no atmosphere During day it is +260 F and at night it is 280 F On Moon there are lots of craters. Moon soil is called regolith.

Mars is a cold, dry, desert planet Atmosphere pressure is 1/100 of Earth 3/8 of Earths gravity Air is 95% C02, only 0.1% Oxygen. Temperatures range from +80 to -225 F Dust and wind storms. Many physical features: volcanoes, mountains, canyons, polar caps

Images: courtesy of NASA

Spacesuit Science
Knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology and other science fields are critical to creating a functional spacesuit. In this brief, important science problems and technical solutions are presented.

PRESSURE
On earth the air around us creates constant pressure on our bodies. In outer space there is no air, so there is no pressure acting on an astronauts body. If an astronaut went into outer space without protection, gases would rush out of the body much like soda popping out of a pressurized bottle. The skin would inflate like a balloon, blood would boil, and tissues would break apart. Within seconds an astronaut would go unconscious from lack of oxygen and very quickly he or she would die.

Spacesuits are pressurized. They are inflated like a balloon and a strong shell keeps the air inside kind of like a bicycle wheel with an inflated tube and rubberized shell. Future exploration on Mars will require pressurized suits because sea level atmosphere on Mars is 1/100 of Earths sea level.

Pressurized Mercury space suit (NASA)

TEMPERATURE
Working in space or on alien planets can expose astronauts to very different temperatures than experienced on Earth. In outer space, when an astronaut faces the sun, the suit can heat up to 250 degrees F from solar radiation. When an astronaut is on the dark side of a moon or planet, temperatures can drop to -250 degrees F. On Mars, average surface temperature is -80 degrees F, and at night temperature can drop to -170 degrees F.

Spacesuits are typically white because they reflect light which reduces temperatures. Spacesuits also have many layers which insulates the astronaut much like an insulated thermal bottle. Since moving a bulky spacesuit requires a lot of energy, astronauts release a lot of heat and sweat. To avoid fogging up the visor and maintain healthy temperatures, astronauts wear a long underwear garment that has tubes sown into the cloth. The tubes transport cold water. Astronauts also wear gloves with mini heaters.

Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (NASA)

Space suit layers (NASA)

FOOD/WATER/WASTE
Astronauts typically clock up to 6-7 hours doing extra-vehicular activity (EVA) such as exploring on the Moon or making repairs on the International Space Station (ISS). While doing this work, astronauts need to stay energized, hydrate, and go to the bathroom.

Astronauts have a drink bag that is attached inside the spacesuit. Much like Camelbak bags, astronauts get water by drawing from an extended tube. When hungry, astronauts take a bite from a food stick that is made out of dried fruit and nuts. Many astronauts eat before doing work in space. To go to the bathroom astronauts use a simple devicean adult size diaper. .

Food stick & drink valve (NASA)

Maximum Absorbent Garment (NASA)

MOVEMENT
A spacesuit is inflated with air like a balloon. In addition, the spacesuit has 14 protective layers and includes many accessories such as tools and communication equipment. These spacesuit features create a rigid and bulky suit that makes it difficult for astronauts to move. Future exploration on Mars present mobility challenges. Unlike outer space or the Moons surface, Mars has gravity (1/3 of Earths). This means astronauts will experience a heavier spacesuit than working in outer space where the gravity is zero.

Space suit gloves (NASA)

At key movement points such as the wrist or shoulder there are joints. For example, hand movement with gloves is enabled with a bearing at the wrist for rotational movement, a joint at the wrist for extension and flexion, and fabric joints for thumb and finger movement. There are accessories that also increase spacesuit mobility. At one point, astronauts used a jet-pack like system to fly in outer space. Compressed oxygen provided the force to move the astronaut. In addition, astronauts have hand tools that enable them to do repairs, collect samples, and other space activities. .

Space suit arm (NASA)

Manned Maneuvering Unit (NASA)

Spacesuit Evolution
Using spacesuits, astronauts have jet packed above the earth and hit a golf ball on the moon. Now many people are investing time and energy into creating a spacesuit for exploring Mars. In this brief you can explore spacesuit concepts from the past, present and future.

When John F. Kennedy announced the goal of getting to the Moon, a flurry of ideas came from inventors. Here are few concepts.

Images: NASA

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, by NASA; and 5 by Douglas Sonders

1
Pioneers of high altitude flight like Wiley Post tested the effects of low pressure suits.

3
The NASA Apollo spacesuit was used in the first moon walk (July 1969). Astronauts like Neil Armstrong could move freely on the surface and perform basic functions such as collect moon rocks.

Russian astronaut Alexei Leonov was the first person to spacewalk (March, 1965). This suit inflated to create pressure and provided thermal protection. To avoid floating into outer space, the spacesuit was attached to the spaceship with a tether.

5
Engineering professor Dava Newman is working on the Bio-Suit. The suit creates pressure using a new system. Cords wrap around the body to create mechanical pressure much like having thousands of elastics wrapped around the body. This cord system allows for greater mobility and reduces the weight of spacesuits. The cord-like design was inspired by giraffe biology.

The next generation NASA Z-1 suit is made to function both in free space and on planet surfaces. More mobility is provided in this suit and a rear entry hatch allows for quick suit-up times. Like previous suits, inflated gas creates safe pressure conditions.

Space Tech Biomimicry

From early fascination of bird flight to futuristic hedgehog robots, nature has been and will be a source of inspiration in the aerospace industry.

NATURE

Velcro is used very often in space. Above is a dinner tray with Velcro straps attached to each item to keep them in place. The hook and loops of Velcro were inspired by the structure of Burr plants.

SpaceshipOne is the first privately built spaceship to fly into space in 2004. Early inventors of flying technologies looked to birds for inspiration. For example, the Wright Brothers studied how pigeons flew during their development of the first engine based plane.

Future Tech
Space inventors are constantly pushing forward with new ways to explore the galaxies. In this effort, biomimicry is playing a big role. Some engineers are looking at how geckos can walk on walls so they can create boots for climbing in outer space or low gravity surfaces. In Stanford a group of researchers are working on a hedgehog shaped robot that can be dropped on Phobos, a moon of Mars, and bounce around the surface while collecting data. A new development in spacesuit technology is the BioSuit which is being developed at MIT. This suit intends to maximize astronaut mobility and provide a pressurized suit by using mechanical pressure. The BioSuit is like a second skin with many cords woven into the fabric. The cords tighten around the body and create the pressure needed to live. Dava Newman got the idea for pressurized cords when she was observing a giraffe. She wondered how a giraffe was able to reach high up in trees and quickly lower its head to the ground without getting bad head rushes from all the blood moving into its head. After investigating the biology of giraffes she learned that the blood vessels in giraffes constrict to slow down blood flow.

Images in order: food tray by NASA, SpaceShipOne by Renegadeaven, Gecko by David Clements, BioSuit by Douglass Sonders, Giraffe by Steve Garvie.

Plant Adaptations
Plants are found across the globe from harsh tundra climates to jungle forests. Plants survive by adapting to their environments so they can grow and reproduce.
Flowers are typically the reproductive part for plants. Ovules and pollen combine to make fruit.

Leaves convert sunlight into energy and combine with water and carbon dioxide to make food.

Fruit cover seeds. The seeds are new plants.

Stems protect plants and provide channels for transporting water, food and nutrients.

Roots gather water and nutrients in the soil. They also store food and anchor the plant to the ground.

Food & Water adaptations

There are thousands of varieties of plants in the world. Each have adapted to their environment to maximize food and water efficiency. Below are some adaptations.
Chlorophyll found in leaves allows plants to capture sunlight and use this energy plus carbon dioxide and water to make food.

Phototropism is a term to describe how plants react to light. In many climates plants will bend towards the light to get more energy.

Stomas are tiny pores found on plant leaves that allow gases to exchange in and out of the plant. Gases include carbon dioxide, oxygen and water vapor.

The cuticle is a waxy surface

Leaf shape such as thin needles limits water loss due to transpiration. Some leaves are really big so they can gather more sunlight. on leaves that keeps water inside and repels some parasites, dirt, and extra water.

Plants have a system of veins and channels to transport food, water, and nutrients. Roots gather nutrients and water from the soil. Roots also partner with fungus in the soil to collect more nutrients.

Images courtesy of: phototropism by Jennie Goddard; chlorophyll under Public Domain; stomas under Public Domain; leaf shape by Bloomsburg University; cuticle by PTC, veins by UC Davis; and roots by Fine Gardening.

Protection & Reproduction adaptations

. survive and create new offspring plants across the globe have adopted a variety of adaptations. In order to

Some plants use the wind to send seeds to new locations.

The Lotus Effect describes how some plants repel water off the leaf to avoid water rot. Microscopic bumps on the leaf prevent water drops from sticking to the surface.

Sunlight is important for plants but too much can be bad. Some plants have a shiny surface that bounces extra sunlight off the leaf.

Bark protects plants from predators and weather conditions.

Some seeds sprout based on chemical triggers such as quantity of water or time of the season. This allows new plants to grow under the best conditions. Fruits attract animals. The animals eat the fruits with seeds in them. When the animal moves to a new location, it drops the seed in its excrement. This allows plants to grow in new locations.

Plants that live in wind environments such as by the sea shore or in the prairie are low lying and bend in the wind.

Images courtesy of: lotus effect by William Thielicke; wind dispersal under Public Domain; shiny surface by Free Images Collection ; bark under Public Domain ; chemical triggers by Bonnie Plants; bend in wind by Idioms Gallery; and fruits by BES. Group.

Research Analysis
Explore Unit
Goal
The goal of this step is to identify important themes as well as problems and opportunities you see with spacesuit form and function.

Activities
Mind Map

In this step we will produce mind maps to identify important themes in the research.

Problems & Opportunities

In this step we will identify problems and opportunities of spacesuit form and function.

Mind Map
Important Themes in Research
A mind map is a visual diagram that shows the connections between ideas. The way it works is you put a topic in the center and put a circle around it. Then you draw lines coming off the center topic that connect to smaller cicles. In these smaller circles you write down important themes related to the topic. And then off these important themes you can add key ideas or concepts. Mind maps are great for brainstorming and critical thinking about what you have learned. Make as many mind maps as you want. The goal is to get as many ideas out as possible. You can also add color and images to make it more visually appealing.

Important theme

Important theme

Key idea

Central Topic

Important theme

Key idea

Problems & Opportunities

An important goal in doing research for a design project is identifying problems and opportunities. Below are two ways to visually present a problem and opportunity in a design. Based on your research, identify some problems and opportunities about a spacesuits form and function.

Problem Find Tips: think about problems associated to the gliders shape, structure, weight and other physical features. In addition, think about external factors such thermals or the pilot decisions.

Opportunity Finding Tips: you can also think of opportunities in relation to the glider form and function. In addition, think about opportunities that are related to bird form and function.

Explore Review
Explore Unit
Goal
The goal of this step is to review lessons learned during the Explore phase of the Spacesuit Project.

Activities
Storybook

In this step you will create a storybook that summarizes your lessons learned during the Explore phase of the Spacesuit. This is the final assignment of the Explore Unit.

Explore Review
In industry, a team developing a product reviews their progress many times. The purpose of these reviews is to identify what they have learned, potential opportuniteis and problems, as well as what needs to happen in the future to be succesful. Following this industry procedure, you are going to review your work in the Explore phase of the project. In particular, you will create a storybook about your spacesuit research.

Storybook of a Glider
Cover Page and illustrations
Use collage cut outs or draw a cover, combine elements, or any other artistic style to captuer the readers attention with the cover. Pages in the storybook include visuals such as charts, photos, sketches, etc. In 2-3 sentences describe the purpose of the product (e.g. 5 Ws and How). Detail the products form and function. Include a visual.

Product Overview

Product History

Describe famous people, events and other historical highlights assoicated to the product. Include a visual on the page.

Current Problems & Opportunities

Identify problems and opportunities associated to the product (e.g. technology, resources, politics, etc.) . Include a visual.

Connections to Creativity Challenge

Identify how your research has informed your thinking process regarding the creativity challenge. Include a visual.

References

Include a list of resources used (e.g. online, print, product, market, etc.)