Material Choices for Mars

Granta Design's CES software has been used by a team from the University of Alberta to identify possible materials for spacesuits for use on Mars.

During the last half-century, the United States and Russia have pioneered designs, innovations, and material selections during the development of space suits for lunar and orbital exploration. The next challenge is human exploration of Mars. The environment on Mars presents many unique challenges, which complicate the design process and challenge the limitations of current space suit design and materials selection. The spacesuit must withstand extremely cold temperatures, low gravity, low atmospheric pressure, and dust storms. It must also provide external protection against several types of radiation and be flexible and light enough to allow for a wide range of motion. The suit must contain a breathing apparatus and an internal environmental system, which will allow the astronaut to function independently for up to 8 h.

In an article in the Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, Volume 4, Issue 2, p. 208-217, authors J.L. Marcy, A.C. Shalanski, M.A.R. Yarmuch, and B.M. Patchett discuss a project to develop and use a detailed design process for a potential Mars exploration suit. Early NASA space suits (Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo), as well as the current Shuttle Suit, are described, followed by a discussion of materials choice methodology and the design of various garments.

Read the article (PDF format)

[Courtesy ASM International]