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This paper discusses the Portable Life Support Subsystem (PLSS) packaging design work done by the NASA and Hamilton Sundstrand in support of the 3 future space missions; Lunar, Mars and zero-g. The goal is to seek ways to reduce the weight of PLSS packaging, and at the same time, develop a packaging scheme that would make PLSS technology changes less costly than the current packaging methods. This study builds on the results of NASA's in-house 1998 study, which resulted in the “Flex PLSS” concept. For this study the present EMU schematic (low earth orbit) was used so that the work team could concentrate on the packaging. The Flex PLSS packaging is required to: protect, connect, and hold the PLSS and its components together internally and externally while providing access to PLSS components internally for maintenance and for technology change without extensive redesign impact. The goal of this study was two fold: 1.

TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) is developing a compact, lightweight ExtraVehicular activity (EVA) emergency system that provides 30-minute life-support in the case of system or component failures in the Portable Life Support System (PLSS). The system uses a low ventilation rate to reduce the amount of stored oxygen, reducing the associated weight and volume penalty. Operation of the system requires an effective sorbent that would remove carbon dioxide and moisture from the suit. We are developing a regenerable sorbent that is suitable for the conceptual system. Recently, we tested the sorbent performance in an adiabatic reactor setup simulating representative EVA emergency conditions. This paper summarizes results of these adiabatic tests.

This paper describes the efforts to date by a NASA and contractor team to accomplish a concept design of a Portable Life Support System (PLSS) packaging scheme that offers flexibility to technology change, access for maintenance in the use environment, ability to be used in multiple modes of operation, and the hope of cost reduction. A companion paper, Advanced Spacesuit Portable Life Support System Design and Development1, gives a description of the three competing concepts for which mock ups were built.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce those interested in Extravehicular Activity (EVA) technology to the technology development road map which the NASA EVA Project Office is following to prepare the technology needed for future missions. The origin, purpose and content of the road map are described. An outline of the processes that will be used to keep the road map current are described as well as how to access the current road map.

Management of technology development is a key aspect of any technology-dependent program, but at present, NASA does not manage technology development within a context of agency goals and visions spanning decades. We propose here a management framework that requires development of a technology portfolio that can be applied to achieving long term strategic goals in accordance with decade spanning vision. This process integrates program direction, maturity and time, and allows a manager to understand where to accept development risk, where to apply significant amounts of resources, and how to manage technology development as a separate element in a program.

Design load values are a prime consideration in space suit design. Pressurized garment assemblies can be accurately modeled as a cylindrical shell under pressure to determine the resulting pressure loads. But, the resulting longitudinal loads are not a complete picture of the load environment. The man induced loads generally act longitudinally and are very often the larger loads the space suit restraint system must withstand. This paper presents the data collected to fill out the human strength data base in the glove area along with a short description of how this data was collected. Also, a description of how this data was used in the design and flight certification of the current Shuttle Extravehicular Mobility Unit space suit is included along with a discussion of techniques to extend this model to include future space suit design.