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I wonder how hard it would be to adapt some of the technology being developed for this for use with mechanical counter-pressure suits. Particularly the “smart cloth” and “exoskeleton” elements. The former could simplify donning and doffing of the suit while providing increased resistance to punctures. The latter would not only be useful for carrying heavy loads, but also in making the most of low-gravity locomotion — in addition to amplifying the wearer’s strength, a powered suit could conceivably counteract external loads acting on the body, such as from landing after a Superman-like leap. This could even be applied in conventional suits, to aid the wearer in bending the suit’s joints against the resistance from the internal pressure.

Posted on April 10th, 2007 under Space Technology. Comments Off