ILC Dover's Z-1 prototype spacesuit
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In an attempt to solve the issues presented in the current space suit many experimental designs have been proposed to provide substantial relief to the hindrances seen in EMU. The designers of the EMU, ILC Dover have come up with a new line of spacesuits which started with the Mark III hard-suit and have just recently developed plans for the Z-2 space suit. The Mark III through the Z-2 used a different mechanism for pressurization abilities. Starting with the Mark III an increase of hard shells was used. The pursuit of the idea of a majority hard-shell had not been seen since the beginning of space exploration but with improved technologies some advantages were clear. The hard-shell concept would be less susceptible to puncturing and would also be able to pressurize to greater levels. With a special feature of the pressurization already the Mark III has been proven to be functional at pressures of over 8 psi meaning there would be no need for a depressurization period like for the EMU.
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Of the most unique designs seen there is the Bio-Suit developed by MIT. In contrast to the ILC Dover suits, the Bio-Suit focuses on a different method of pressurization by means of mechanical counter pressure or MCP. MCP focuses on having a skin tight suit which can be adjusted to any pressure desired. What the Bio-Suit tries to accomplish is for an astronaut to have a second skin in which full range of motion can be made. In addition the Bio-Suit also tries to conserve weight for transportation (a maximum of several pounds versus the over 300 pound EMU) and provide safer alternative to the bulkiness of gas-pressure suits. The Bio-Suit also tries to solve issues found in donning time by making the suit like a jumpsuit found on earth. Though mechanical pressure can be achieved, gas pressurization is still required for a headpiece though an advantage to having the oxygen only at the head area means that less of a supply of gas is needed for the same amount of time a gas-pressurized suit would have. One of the challenges faced in this design is the joining of the gas-pressurized head piece to the mechanical counter pressure torso.
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