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Advanced projects envisage multiple EVAs on the planetary surface and great distances to be covered by EVA astronauts during manned Mars missions. Astronauts' egress with special Martian EVA space suits on can be provided only through the landing module/spacecraft airlock. To move over the planet, astronauts are expected both to walk and use a planetary rover (Martian rover). To make EVA activities on the planetary surface successful, an optimized concept for space suit attachment both to the airlock and Martian rover should be developed. The paper considers concept options of the planetary space suit (PSS)/airlock and PSS/Martian rover mechanical interfaces based on patent information study and analysis of development, test and operation data for the EVA space suits.

At present advanced projects of the early XXI century are beginning to develop. These projects include lunar base development and manned missions to Mars. The space suit is one of the basic requirements for successful implementation of future programs. The space suit enclosure enables mobility of crewmembers wearing pressurized space suits which will be required to complete these missions. Requirements on Planetary Space Suit (PSS) enclosure design, especially for elements providing mobility of the lower torso assembly will be different from these on orbital space suit enclosure design, intended for zero gravity conditions. The PSS enclosure provides cosmonaut/astronaut movement on planetary exploration surfaces, ascent/descent of the Landing Module ladder, suited crewmember’s bending etc. Thus this PSS component will play a considerable role in successful fulfillment of extra-vehicular activity (EVA) tasks on planetary surfaces.

Previous studies have shown that a multi-axis ankle joint accommodating abduction and adduction as well as ankle flexion/extension and rotation could be practically incorporated into a pressure suit. Several candidate configurations were manufactured and the performance of the enhanced ankle joints evaluated. Experience has suggested that these enhancements could be of significant benefit for planetary exploration missions requiring extensive walking over uneven terrain. During 1999, prototype pressure suit boots incorporating a multi-axis ankle joint configuration were manufactured. Their effect on balance stability and locomotion capabilities across slopes and over uneven surfaces in a pressurized spacesuit were evaluated in a series of 1-g experiments. This paper describes the enhanced test boots, the test procedure, and the results. Design refinements and further testing are recommended.

A cooperative program undertaken by Zvezda and Hamilton Standard to address the required walking mobility for future planetary missions has focussed on space suit foot and ankle mobility. It has included the evaluation of the performance of a boot sole metatarsal (toe) joint and two different ankle joint configurations. A field test with a highly mobile space suit prototype by NASA provides data that complement the results of the above study. Experience in traversing a variety of terrain similar to that expected on Mars provides confirmation of the value of pressure suit ankle and boot sole mobility in the field. Taken together, these studies provide useful data for the design of future planetary exploration spacesuits. Laboratory and field test results are presented and some of their implications for planetary space suit designs are discussed.