NDX Space Suit Projects

NDX-1 Testing in Antarctica

2011-03-15T05:03:00.000-07:00

Equipment Testing

2011-03-12T19:47:00.001-08:00

Testing of drills and related equipment. In this photo, Jon Rask, NASA Ames (left), Margarita Marinova, NASA Ames (center) and me.

Video of the landing at Marambio Base

2011-03-12T13:58:00.000-08:00

This is a short video of the landing and downloading of cargo and personnel at Marambio Base, Antarctica.

Arrival to Marambio

2011-03-12T10:14:00.001-08:00

The C-130 of the Argentine Air Force right after landing in Marambio, Antarctic Peninsula.

Arrival to Marambio

2011-03-12T10:14:00.000-08:00

The C-130 of the Argentine Air Force right after landing in Marambio, Antarctic Peninsula.

Logo in Spanish

2011-03-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

And the same logo in Spanish

From Rio Gallegos to Antarctica

2011-03-12T09:33:00.002-08:00

In this photo, from right to left, Comodoro Perez, Argentine Air Force, Magarita Marinova, NASA Ames, Jon Rask, NASA Ames and Pablo de Leon, UND.

We left yesterday from Rio Gallegos to Antarctica on a C-130 Hercules. The same one that departed from Buenos Aires the day before. While the accomodations cannot be considered first class, the crew made the flight very enjoyable. It was smooth and without turbulence, and in four hours we were in Rio Gallegos. Spent the night there and the next day we departed for the Marambio Base, in the Antarctic Peninsula.

From Rio Gallegos to Antarctica

2011-03-12T09:33:00.001-08:00

Logos for the Antarctic Project

2011-03-12T09:33:00.000-08:00

Our testing in Antarctica was named "Mars in Marambio", being Marambio the name of the Antarctic base owned by Argentina, where the space suit testing will take place.
The logo of the project depicts the Southern Cross, the planet Mars, one of the Marambio base hangars and the NDX-1 space suit, along with the participating institutions, NASA, the University of North Dakota and the Argentine Air Force.

From Antarctica

2011-03-12T05:40:00.000-08:00

We arrived yesterday to the Argentine's Marambio Base in the Antarctic Peninsula, and are waiting to start operations as soon as the weather improves. Winds of more than 70 miles per hour are not permitting operations outside, but we are confident that tomorrow we can start testing. Meanwhile we are preparing the gear, charging the batteries and enjoying life at the base.

NDX-1 Goes to Antarctica

2011-03-04T18:03:00.000-08:00

Under a new research project in cooperation with NASA Ames Research Center we are getting ready to test sample collection techniques using the NDX-1 space suit, this time in Antarctica.
We will be publishing on this blog details of our trip.

NDX-2 Assembly at the UND Spacesuit Lab

2011-03-04T17:58:00.003-08:00

Here are some preliminary photos of the NDX-2 during initial testing. In the pictures, Gary Harris, designer of the NDX-2 working with graduate student Lynn van Broock (Space Studies)and undergraduate student (Mechanical Engineering) Tyler Jacobson.

NDX-2 Suit is coming!

2009-12-07T11:31:00.000-08:00

Preliminary testing of the NDX-2 Lunar prototype suit is now complete.
While I did not had the time to update the blog with the preliminary testing results, I hope to do it very soon.
The NDX-2 is an new generation pressure suit developed for the Lunar environment. Its design is another development of my friend and colleague Gary Harris, a real genius in the development of advanced "soft" space suits. At this moment we are working in some minor improvements and safety systems in the suit, as well as the biomedical system, voice and video communication and Life Support System.

Photos Last Day at MDRS

2007-04-07T14:38:00.000-07:00

Fabio Collecting samples with the Thermal-Dust Garment on.

In a warmer "Mars" Fabio showing the restraint layer of the NDX-1. At the distance the MDRS.

Brave Marcus Medley testing the NDX-1

Marcus driving the ATV

Marcus and Pablo

Fabio testing the sample collector tool designed by State University of New York Buffalo students

Fabio with SUNY Buffalo students

Pablo, Fabio and Alex with the UND flag

Sixth and Final Test Day

2007-04-07T14:32:00.000-07:00

Today was an amazing last day. I will just upload some photos and briefly comment what they are. I will also include below Alex Diaz's excellent EVA Report.

The NDX-1 test season at MDRS was a complete success and I want to tank very much to everybody who made it possible.
To the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium, especially to Dr. Paul Hardersen and Suezette Bieri for their support.

To Gary L. Harris, great friend and talented designer, who developed all soft elements of the NDX-1. Gary, who deserves a special chapter in the development of advanced space suits and is without a question the most skillful and innovative space suit designer today, and we are honored to have him in our team.

To everybody at the University of North Dakota, one of the finest universities in the US and an incredible place to work, also to my colleagues at the Department of Space Studies who from the beginning supported the idea of a Space Suit Laboratory.
To the Ames Research Center for their kind invitation as part of the NASA Spaceward Bound Mission V, to the MDRS 61 crew; Chip Shepherd (NASA JSC), commander, Alex Diaz (Boeing) our amazing EVA officer, Marcus Medley, (resourceful engineer and the in the last day, NDX-1 test subject!). To Irene Schneider, Pieter Jan Van Asbroeck and Elizabeth Wolfe, an amazing team of super-talented people. To the NDX-1 test subject, Fabio Sau (despite the fact that he wants to be called “the model”) who did a superb job enduring low and high temperatures inside the NDX-1 and performed his job incredible well.

To Paul Graham, engineering support at MDRS who was an invaluable ally when things went wrong and we needed things done by yesterday.

I also want to thank to Don Foutz owner of the Whispering Sands for his support, help and patience. Also, to Tiffany and all the great ladies of the housekeeping team at the Whispering.

Special thanks to Tony Muscatello, of the Mars Society who provided valuable help and logistics for this successful mission.

Last but not least to my wife Ana Maria, who took all the pictures in this blog (and thousands more, and at the same time did the video footage of the complete mission) enduring wind, sand, heat, cold (and even some media camera guys who did her job more difficult) and despite all that took incredible pictures and videos of the tests.

I also want to thank all of you who read this blog every day and provided comments and encouragement during this week.

Many thanks to all.

Pablo de Leon

------------------------------

Log Book for April 7, 2007
EVA Report by Alex Diaz

Context: UND NDX-1 Suit Test and EVA Sample Collector Tool Test (State University of New York, Buffalo)
Duration: 06:55-8:06
Weather: Clear (dawn)
Maximum distance from Hab: 800m

Participants: EVA Support Task Team-5 (Alex Diaz, Marcus Medley, Irene Schneider Puente), NDX-1 Crew (Pablo De Leon, Ana De Leon, and Fabio Sau), and State University of New York, Buffalo student (Amanda Schmidt and Mrynal D'Arcangelo).

Equipment: NDX-1 Spacesuit and supporting equipment (i.e. ATV, compressor, and generator), video camera, digital camera, GPS, radios, rock hammer, notepad/pen, and EVA Sample Collector Tool.

Route: NDX-1 suit subject (Fabio Sau) rode on ATV trailer north on Lowell Highway to perform several mobility tests.

Objectives - Work Done: This was the last test of the UND NDX-1 Suit at MDRS. The objective was to assess the mobility of the NDX-1 suit. Major tasks included NDX-1 donning, Thermal Garment donning, walking w/ backpack, sample collection with rock hammer, cart moving, and sample flag planting. All operations were conducted successfully. The farthest location reached was UTM 12S 0518724E 4251224N; distance of 800m from Hab.

Additionally, an EVA Sample Collector Tool was tested by the pressurized NDX-1 Test. The goal of this tool is to allow Martian astronauts to dig and collect soil and rock samples without having to bend. Prior to today's test, the test subject (Fabio Sau) tested the EVA tool without gloves and got familiar with the mechanism. During today's test, Fabio performed the following tasks: 1) released the trigger mechanism allowing for the tool arm to fold out, 2) dug into the soil for the sample, 3) reengaged the trigger to retract the arm, 4) collected the soil sample into the container, 5) unscrewed the container, and 6) capped the sample. Conceptually, the EVA tool is a very valiant attempt for facilitating collection samples on a planetary surface. However, there are a few items that are being recommended to the graduate designers for further development of the tool. These recommendations are outlined in the Lessons Learned section.

After all NDX-1 suit operations were completed, MDRS Crew 61 Engineer, Marcus Medley, was able to test the pressurized suit. Note, the NDX-1 suit was designed for a person with an approximate height of 5'9" and weight of 160lbs. Marcus Medley fit those parameters. Marcus donned on the suit and walked in the area surrounding the front of the Hab. Marcus commented that the suit itself does not, for the most part, touch the surface of the body, which allows for very good mobility; walking, bending arms and legs, and kneeling was effortless. Furthermore, the suit gloves allowed him good dexterity and tactility.

Lessons Learned:
Starting early again proved fruitful. This was done to prevent overheating of the test subject in a pressurized suit.
NDX-1 suit mobility is very good. Test subject is able to get on one knee comfortably to collect samples, able to use rock hammer, able to walk up a low sloping hill, and able to maneuver around rocks of various sizes.
EVA Sample Collection Tool recommendations (Pablo De Leon, Fabio Sau, Alex Diaz, Mrynal D'Arcangelo and Amanda Schmidt):
Trigger mechanism is extremely difficult to pull in order to release the bending arm. Recommendation: Decrease distance from the trigger to the handle so that astronaut can have a better grip.
The trigger itself is too short; there is only room for two fingers. Recommendation: Increase the length of the trigger mechanism so that four fingers can grip the handle.
Clearance distance on the handle is not enough for the glove of the space suit to fit around without causing damage to the suit itself. Recommendation: Increase the degree angle for the arm rest by approximately 20 degrees in order to prevent the glove and suit from getting hooked. Use silicone or some type of padding for the armrest to prevent damage to the suit.
Scoop degree angle is restrictive. Recommendation: Increase the degree of pitch of the scoop in order to have a better dig angle.
Refer to NASA-STD-3000 for EVA-related requirements.

Additional Report Day 5

2007-04-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

by Alex Diaz

April 6, 2007
EVA Report

EVA Support Task-4:

Context: NDX-1 Suit Test
Duration: 05:57-07:22
Weather: Clear (dawn)
Maximum distance from Hab: 800m

Participants: EVA Support Task Team-4 (Alex Diaz, Marcus Medley, Irene Schneider Puente, Chip Shepherd), NDX-1 Crew (Pablo De Leon, Ana De Leon, and Fabio Sau), and State University of New York, Buffalo student (Amanda Schmidt). Media from ABC-TV/Houston, Telemundo, and independent documentary covered the event.

Equipment: NDX-1 Spacesuit and supporting equipment (i.e. ATV, compressor, and generator), video camera, digital camera, GPS, radios, rock hammer, and notepad/pen.

Route: NDX-1 suit subject (Fabio Sau) headed north on Lowell Highway to perform several mobility tests.

Objectives - Work Done: The objective was to assess the mobility of the NDX-1 suit. Major tasks included NDX-1 donning, Thermal Garment donning, walking w/ backpack, sample collection with rock hammer, cart moving, and sample flag planting. All operations were conducted successfully.

Lessons Learned:
· Starting early (before dawn) is very important to avoid overheating of pressurized suited crew.
· NDX-1 suit mobility is very good. Test subject is able to get on one knee comfortably to collect samples, able to use rock hammer, able to walk up a low sloping hill, and able to maneuver around rocks of various sizes.

Fifth Test Day

2007-04-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

Today we had a very fruitful day of testing. We started at 6AM with the presence of ABC News, Telemundo Hispanic Media and a documentary producer from Switzerland.
We repeated some of the tests of past days and did some new, including a small climbing, plus some new sampling collection tasks. Everything went very well and we were relieved to see the press leave happy. We are still without Internet in our hotel so I will have to be brief, but I will write more tomorrow if possible. Saturday is our last day of testing. We plan to arrive to the site at 6:30 AM and will perform some additional tests and will test a new collection sample tool.
I plan to upload some more photos as soon as I can.

Pablo de Leon.

Additional Report Day 5

2007-04-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

Log Book for April 5, 2007
EVA Report by Alex Diaz

EVA Support Task-3:

Context: UND NDX-1 Average Walking Speed
Duration: 05:00 - 07:30
Weather: Clear (dawn)
Maximum distance traveled from Hab: 680m
Route: NDX-1 suit subject (Fabio Sau) headed north on Lowell Highway.
Equipment: NDX-1 Spacesuit and supporting equipment (i.e. ATV, compressor, and generator), video camera, digital camera, GPS, radios, and notepad/pen.

Participants: EVA Support Task-3 (Alex Diaz, Marcus Medley, Pieter Jan Van Asbroeck and Chip Shepherd), and NDX-1 Crew (Pablo De Leon, Ana De Leon and Fabio Sau).

Objectives - Work Done: Assisted NDX-1 team with pressurized suit walking demonstrations. Objective was to find an average walking speed. EVA started at 6:19 AM, and plan was to walk north on Lowell Highway; this route was chosen because it is relatively flat. However, 11m 33 sec into the walk (at 6:31 AM), the EVA had to be aborted due to suit compressor problems. An attempt to repair the problem on site was attempted (by replacing generator), but that proved fruitless. The farthest location reached was UTM 12S 0518737E 4250825N; distance of 680m from Hab. According to GPS measurements, NDX-1 suit subject's moving average speed was 3.5 km/hr. The compressor problem has been fixed by University of North Dakota personnel and we will continue with this test tomorrow.

Lessons Learned:
Starting early is very important to avoid overheating of pressurized suited crew.
Walkback data collection using the GPS units was successful.

Forth Test Day

2007-04-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday night, once again, Internet was not working at the place we are staying so I enclose here the blog for April 4th, sorry!

Today activities started at 4AM. By 5 we were at the MDRS and ready to go.
We had the life support cart prepared from the night before and everything looked OK. Fabio was suited up at around 5:30 and after a check of the life support we started the first test, which consisted in a walk to determine speed in the NDX-1 in pressurized state.
Speeds were determined between 3.5 and 5 km/h on depending terrain and other conditions. Fabio said he wanted to go faster, but I didn’t wanted to overexert him, and that speed was more than enough for what we wanted to test. Thanks to NASA Spaceward Bound 61 Commander “Chip” Shepherd for helping in the test working the GPS, and as always to Alex Diaz for organizing everything for the EVA test at the MDRS.

The second part of the test was climbing a cliff, getting samples in inclined terrain and doing some measurements with a Geiger counter.
When we were going to move the ATV with the trailer near to the cliff area, our engineer Marcus Medley called our attention about some minor smoke coming from the compressor that pressurizes the suit. We rapidly stopped the test and saw than a capacitor on top of the compressor motor was damaged. It broke, and believe it or not, we had no spare parts for it.
My fault, for failing to consider all possible scenarios.
Sadly we had to stop the test, have Fabio doffing the suit, getting everything back into the MDRS area and driving back to Hanksville to try to resolve the problem.
The mistake was a big one. I had to drive 5 hours back and forth to get a couple of capacitors in Gunnison, UT. To make the long story short we finally resolved the problem and we tested the LSS to try again tomorrow morning to finish the pending tests.

So, tomorrow 4 AM we will attempt again, this time with three crews of national media (and one international) taping all we do (mistakes included). So, let’s hope for the best!. It has been a very full day; we are all very tired and need some rest to be up and ready in a few hours.
We might find some Easter eggs tomorrow as part of the sample collection test!

Pablo de Leon.

Third Test Day

2007-04-04T15:30:00.000-07:00

Since we have been having problems with the generator we had to wait until today to have a second generator at the site. We devoted most of the day to prepare a trailer with the generator, compressor, filtering system and umbilical cables in order to conduct mobile tests of the NDX-1(Gracias Marcus!).

Tonight (actually tomorrow at 4 AM) we will start an endurance-walking test with the NDX-1.
Fabio will don the suit around 5AM and we will simulate a rover break down to return to the Hab walking. We selected that time so the temperatures will not be so extreme; ending the 1st EVA of the day around the time the Sun rises.
Today, during a scouting walk to the area we selected, the temperature was extremely high (around 92 F). Too hot for a suited individual, too hot for unsuited ones, like us.

Tomorrow we will also conduct some additional tests, as sample collection and other scheduled EVA activities.
So, tonight an early dinner and sleep to be up and running at 4AM. Wish us luck! It is going to be a long day.

Pablo de Leon

Second Test Day

2007-04-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

I apologize for not writing anything yesterday. It was really a full day and we arrived at night to the hotel where we are staying and the Internet connection was so bad I had to give up. I received today several E-mails from people who actually are reading this blog (which is always surprising), so for them my apologies.

What I am going to do is to borrow Alex Diaz (our MDRS EVA specialist) yesterday’s Log Report and include some photos to “cover up” for my lack of comm.
Alex Diaz, an EVA engineer for Boeing is working for the ISS and Space Shuttle programs and is also a UND M.S. in Space Studies distance student, who during past year endured successfully our “Engineering for Human Spaceflight” course.
Here it goes Alex’s report;

Log Book for April 3, 2007
EVA Report

Context: NDX-1 Suit Test
Duration: 12:00-02:00
Weather: Clear and Sunny
Maximum distance from Hab: Area surrounding Hab (~50m)

Participants: EVA Support Task Team-1 (Alex Diaz, Marcus Medley, and Irene Schneider Puente), and NDX-1 Crew (Pablo De Leon, Ana De Leon, and Fabio Sau).

Equipment: NDX-1 Spacesuit and supporting equipment, video camera, digital camera, cordless drill, and EVA connector mockup.

Route: NDX-1 suit subject (Fabio Sau) walked a simple and easy route around the Hab to perform several mobility tests.

Objectives - Work Done: The objective was to assess the mobility of the NDX-1 suit. Major tasks included NDX-1 donning in MDRS, Thermal Garment donning at Airlock, MDRS Airlock opening when pressurized, walking w/ backpack, power drill operations, sample retrieval, cart moving, and EVA connector accessibility. All operations were conducted successfully.

Lessons Learned: EVA Connector - Test subject was able to mate/demate the EVA connector mockup. The clearance around the connector was 1.6 in all around, except on the bottom of the connector, where the clearance was 1.0 in. Note, per NASA Man-System Integration Standards (MSIS) EVA Connector Requirement, clearance between single and staggered rows of connectors shall be at least 1.5 in. The test subject noted there was sufficient clearance around the connector for access by the NDX-1 spacesuit glove.

Tests at the MDRS begin

2007-04-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

Testing of the NDX-1 started today as planned. After a few minor problems with the compressor and filtering system (some fittings went loose after the 1,500 miles trip) we were able to start testing of the NDX-1 in the afternoon. We still have a problem with the radios (for some reason they refused to work), so today’s test was of only a couple of hours. I will try to write more tomorrow since it is 9:30 PM right now and we are so tired (and no dinner yet) that I will resume after some rest as soon as I can tomorrow.
I enclose here a couple of photos of the NDX-1 at the Mars Desert Research Station.

Final Preparations

2007-04-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

Final Preparations took place today to have the suit prepared for tomorrow. Tonight we went to the Hab to set the compressor and filtering system for the suit and secured all the equipment to the ATV that is going to carry the consumables. So, everything is ready for Monday!

The Crew 61 (NASA Spaceward Bound) invited us to stay for dinner so we had a very pleasant evening at the Hab, meeting the crew and enjoying their hospitality.
Tomorrow is going to be a full day, so despite now is 11pm we will have to wake up early to go to the site.

Pablo de Leon.

Reaching Hanksville, UT.

2007-03-31T16:44:00.000-07:00

After a long 1,600 miles trip from Grand Forks, North Dakota we safely reached Hanksville, Utah a small 200 people town where we will base our operations.
Yesterday we drove 500 miles, after picking up Fabio at the Denver Airport, many of them crossing the mountains in Colorado. There was snowing heavily and driving conditions were bad so I was too tired to write, but after a restful night we started unpacking and preparing the equipment.

This afternoon the Crew 61 will arrive from Salt Lake City and we will meet for first time. They will be supporting our testing at the MDRS. Also, Paul Graham, MDRS engineering specialist helped us to hook up our computers with Internet and will bring us later to the Hab to leave the compressor, cables, filters and set up the generator which will provide the power to conduct the space suit tests.

As you get close to the area, the landscape turns extra-terrestrial. The soil turns red and the mountains start to loose vegetation. The features look very Mars-like and I can see why the MDRS was built here. The photos don’t quite make justice to the place. It is beautiful and intriguing at the same time. It is going to be an amazing week and I am ready to start setting up everything. Ana put today all cameras, video and radios batteries at full charge so everything is ready.

Now I am writing this blog at the top of one of the mountains where, as crazy as it may sound, we have wireless Internet coverage!

In a few minutes we are descending to prepare some of the equipment we are leaving at the Hab so I have to close by now. More to come tomorrow!

Pablo de Leon.

NDX-1 at the MDRS in Utah

2007-03-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

From April 1-7th the UND Space Suit Laboratory will participate in the MDRS (Mars Desert Research Station) Crew 61/Spaceward Bound Crew Five invited by NASA Ames Research Center. The objective of this test will be to evaluate the NDX-1 Space Suit in the Utah desert.
The suit was developed by us under a grant from NASA and the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium and was successfully tested past year in the North Dakota Badlands (see below for the blog of the testing). This time we will make its second test season at the MDRS where more difficult testing will be performed to fully evaluate its capabilities as a planetary space suit. Starting next week I will start writing everyday to report the progresses (or mishaps) of this new testing season for the NDX-1, as well as adding some photos and (if we have enough bandwith at the MDRS) some short videos.
This is going to be an exciting week and I thank in advance to NASA and to the Mars Society for inviting us to this expedition.

Please feel free to E-mail me with your comments at deleon@space.edu.
Many thanks for reading our blog.

Pablo de Leon.

FINAL TEST DAY

2006-05-06T19:17:00.000-07:00

Day 6

Today was the final day for the testing of our experimental space suit, it was an amazing day where we were able to accomplish most of the desired objectives. Also, since it was public day many people came to see the tests.

National press was also present with a reporter and photographer from Associated Press that already published the story and we already have more than 120 newspapers and TV stations around the nation covering the story). We also had representatives from NBC, ABC and local stations.

The director of the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium Dr. Shan de Silva, and Suezette Rene Bieri, assistant director came to see the final tests, as well as some other colleagues from the NDSGC and participating colleges and universities.

It was a big event, and this time the weather cooperated very well for the public with a beautifully sunny day, but not that well for our test subject, who had to endure a warm space suit during most of the test.

The suit, designed for colder climate, and without a proper life support system was too warm after the first half hour under the sun. However, Fabio took it as always, with a smile and endured it stoically.

Today, Fabio did some of the tests he performed past days, plus some new, as driving a small radio-controlled car, and a very important one, driving an all terrain vehicle all by himself, which he did perfectly and will full control of the vehicle.

Since he was using a umbilical cable it was difficult for us to keep him under control, and give him the proper length of cable to keep feeding the space suit, but finally with the help of Mark and Jennie we were able to complete the task.

After the test many press interviews followed, as well as questions from the public who came to see the tests.

In the afternoon and after public and press left the site Dr. Corinne Krauss and her students from Dickinson State University prepared the final test for the suit.

The faculty and students designed a dust chamber where the suit (unmanned, this time) was going to be “bombarded” with dust in several sizes and compositions.

They did a great job, and the suit took it pretty well (see pictures).

They are going to study the results of this test and we will continue working with them since dust containment is one of the most difficult problems for planetary space suits.

It has been such an amazing week. Everybody involved worked so hard and did everything so well that I am in debt will all of them.

Thanks to all the E-mails received. I am really sorry I had no time to answer each one personally, but I will do as soon as I return to my office in a couple of days.

Pablo de Leon.

DAY 5

2006-05-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

Today, we decided to take part of the day lightly as there were no tests scheduled in the morning.

However, in the afternoon we travelled to Bismarck (the state capital) because the team was invited to the North Dakota Newspaper Association Convention.

We bought the space suit to the convention and made a short public demonstration to the press.

During the event the director of the NASA North Dakota Space Grant Consortium, Dr. Shan de Silva, spoke about the project, and showed a video of the tests than Ana had edited only a few hours before.

Tomorrow Saturday is going to be the final test day at the field in the North Dakota badlands, and from 11 to 2 PM we organized a public day demonstration where everybody is invited to attend. Let’s hope the weather cooperates!

Pablo de Leon.

TEST DAY 4, AFTERNOON

2006-05-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

Day 4, Afternoon

During the afternoon, we left the test site and went to DSU to meet with Pete Leno (no relationship with Jay)at the Human Performance Lab.

Once there, he recorded data about the kinematics and walking capabilities of a suited and unsuited Fabio, with a high tech sport equipment for further analysis.

Overall, a very tiring, but fruitful day of work for everybody.

Pablo de Leon

FOURTH TEST DAY, AM

2006-05-04T17:37:00.000-07:00

Day 4, Morning.

Today, Thursday May 4th we continued testing in the North Dakota badlands. The weather has not improved much as it was still very cool in the morning for this time of year (24 F) - at least there was less wind than yesterday!

Mike Zietz from NDSU came today from Fargo to supervise the biomedical sensor package and repair some minor problems we experienced yesterday in the helmet’s sensors.

Today we continued mobility tests and we studied further the working capabilities of the suit in a uneven terrain. Fabio performed some acrobatics during the test (this was not planned actually. See picture where he is on a cliff).

We also enjoyed the visit Chuck, our UND photographer, who took some pictures that will be published in a university magazine. The Dickinson State University team – under the supervision of Corinne Krauss – was helpful and supportive as always: they came up with new tests for the space suit i.e. connection and disconnection of hoses and cables plus several others.

Today, we also had a visit from two students from Turtle Mountain Community College, Alex Frederick and Brady Azure. Both worked on the wireless voice communication package for the suit and helped us a lot during our morning field test.

Pablo de Leon

THIRD TEST DAY

2006-05-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

Today Wednesday May 3 was our third day of testing. We were worried because of the weather, due to the heavy rain yesterday with the test area very wet. Thanks to strong winds blowing all night the site was dry this morning. The temperature on site was cold with a low of 22 F (See picture).

Despite the inconveniences, we managed to accomplish all the tests that were planned for the today excursion to the site. Fabio (Fabio Sau, our test subject) got for the first time the complete outfit, including the complete outer garment and the backpack (this last one is just a demonstrator and it only houses the transmitter for the wireless biomedical sensors’ package, however, the dimensions of the backpack consider the use of a portable life support system for Mars).

The consumables for our test are received by external umbilical cable and no-so-portable life support system.

Fabio also completed several tasks as collecting samples, using a shovel, and other required assignments. The mobility inside the suit, even with both outer garment and backpack, was excellent.

Our friend and consultant for the project, Gary L. Harris did a superb job designing the soft goods and mobility elements for the suit.

The temperature inside the suit was comfortable, but since there is no heating in our life support system, Fabio felt some cold and so the sensor measured a relatively cool temperature. For the future we are already planning a heater to be incorporated in the backpack.

We took abundant video footage and pictures for future reference.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, we are going to start early in the day at the test site, while in the afternoon we will be back at DSU to do walking tests on a treadmill with a special sport monitoring equipment, specifically set up to study Fabio’s locomotion and kinematics with and without the spacesuit.

Pablo de Leon

SECOND TEST DAY

2006-05-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

The second field test today (May 2) was rescheduled since there was heavy rain on the North Dakota Badlands.

We decided instead to work out some minor issues with the biomedical sensor package at the Dickinson State University (DSU) campus and perform some mobility tests that can be done inside.

We resolved the issues with the wireless biomedical sensors and we also did some tests for the amusement of the DSU students taking their finals.

Tomorrow if the weather permits we will return to the test site to resume field tests. All the team involved is doing an amazing job.

We received today some requests about high resolution photos. Clicking on the pictures will give a higher resolution - however, for even larger versions, please send me an e-mail to deleon@space.edu and I will send them as soon as I have a high speed connection.

Pablo de Leon

FIRST TEST DAY

2006-05-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

The tests started today with very good overall results. Today was mostly preparations, fit checks and testing of the walking capabilities of the suit.

We will start detailed mobility tests tomorrow Tuesday until Saturday May 6th. We are looking forward to continue our tests every day of the week if weather permits.

Pablo de Leon

IN BELFIELD, ND

2006-04-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

Today we arrived safely to Belfield after a 6 hours drive from Grand Forks. Tomorrow we will start testing of the space suit. Starting tomorrow we will post daily updates of our work with (hopefully) some pictures.

Posted by Pablo de Leon, Project Director.

NORTH DAKOTA SPACE GRANT CONSORTIUM SPACE SUIT PROJECT

2006-04-20T10:10:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the blog of the Mars Space Suit Project developed by the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium.