A Study of Techniques and Equipment for the Evaluation of Extravehicular Protective Garments

摘要

The purpose of this study was to establish a test methodology and a test system for objective, quantitative, and accurate evaluation of extravehicular space protective garments. Areas of testing studied include functional performance, life support, and environmental protection. Emphasis is placed on the problem of suit torque restraints, i. e., mobility. Concepts for appropriate evaluation criteria are discussed. The information presented and conclusions reached are the results of experience in suit testing, technical analysis, search of the literature, and discussions with experts. The nature and causes of suit torque restraint are discussed and a pin jointed model is developed for precise description of suit torques and body interlink angles. Various techniques for torque vector and body angle measurements are explored and it is concluded that a powered articulated dummu and an intrasuit exoskeletal electrogoniometer with off-line computer coupling are required to produce accurate data and useful figures of merit. Measurement techniques for reach envelope, glove evaluation, and comfort are also discussed. (Author)