Browsing by Author "de Leon, Pablo"
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Item Investigating the Feasibility of Utilizing Carbon Nanotube Fibers for Spacesuit Dust Mitigation(46th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2016-07-10) Manyapu, Kavya K.; Peltz, Leora; de Leon, Pablo; Gaier, James R.; Tsentalovich, Dmitri; Calle, Carlos; Mackey, PaulHistorical data from the Apollo missions has compelled NASA to identify dust mitigation of spacesuits and other components as a critical path prior to sending humans on potential future lunar exploration missions. Several studies thus far have proposed passive and active countermeasures to address this challenge. However, these technologies have been primarily developed and proven for rigid surfaces such as solar cells and thermal radiators. Integration of these technologies for spacesuit dust mitigation has remained an open challenge due to the complexity of suit design. Current research investigates novel methods to enhance integration of the Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS) concept for spacesuits. We leverage previously proven EDS concept developed by NASA for rigid surfaces and apply new techniques to integrate the technology into spacesuits to mitigate dust contamination. The study specifically examines the feasibility of utilizing Carbon Nanotube(CNT) yarns manufactured by Rice University as electrodes in spacesuit material. Proof of concept testing was conducted at NASA Kennedy Space Center using lunar regolith simulant to understand the feasibility of the proposed techniques for spacesuit application. Results from the experiments are detailed in this paper. Potential challenges of applying this technology for spacesuits are also identified.Item Lunar Daytime: Behavioral Experiments in a Space Analog Living and Working Environment(2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2020-07-31) Cohen, Marc M.; Barker, Donald C.; Bianco, Suzanna De Oliviera; Bishop, Sheryl; Gentile, Ronald; Haeuplik-Meusburger, Sandra; de Leon, Pablo; Wise, JamesThe Lunar Daytime concept addresses the challenge to behavioral scientists and architectural researchers in conducting research in space habitats or habitat analogs to produce scientifically valid results. Historically, researchers were limited to largely qualitative surveys. Instead, the Lunar Daytime (LDT) team will demonstrate the efficacy of a modifiable environmental habitat analog laboratory capable of producing empirical, measurable, and quantitative data sets. To measure effects on crew performance and crew behavioral responses as a dependent variable, researchers must be able to make and control changes in the physical living and working environment as an independent variable. Lunar Daytime refers to modeling an early human-tended lunar base. Because this surface mission depends on solar energy for power, which is available only during the lunar day, the time limit to the simulation is 14 days, but may run shorter. This LDT context provides the mission scenario to conduct these comparatively short-duration habitat analog studies. A benefit of two-week long simulations is that it becomes possible to conduct multiple test runs within the same time and budget that a much longer (i.e. Mars mission) scenario would require. The LDT team has conducted extensive studies of space vehicle and habitat design, done research in various analog habitats (e.g., MDRS, HERA, HI-SEAS, Concordia), and reviewed all existing space habitat analog facilities. Unfortunately, none of the current facilities allow for the degree of modification necessary to experimentally address the critical issues surrounding creation of the optimally built habitat. Major Objectives: 1) Create a space habitat analog research facility, specifically designed to accommodate desired modifications in the physical and perceptual living and working environment, and 2) Demonstrate the ability of such an environmental behavioral laboratory to simulate, investigate, and address critical factors that play important roles in human health and well-being in Isolated and confined environments (ICEs).Item Performance of the Shortened Liquid Cooling Warming Garment During Simulated MicroG EVA(51st International Conference on Environmental Systems, 7/10/2022) Bielawski, Sophie; de Leon, Pablo; Leon, Gloria R.Surface temperatures during extravehicular activity (EVA) in low Earth orbit range from -157°C to 121° C. Although spacesuits shield astronauts from such inhospitable extremes, metabolic heat production due to physical exertion is trapped within the garment, leading to increased internal temperature. Cooling garments are utilized to maintain human thermal equilibrium. NASA's Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) has been in use for decades. Koscheyev and colleagues developed a physiologically designed Shortened Liquid Cooling Warming Garment (SLCWG) at the University of Minnesota, focused on increasing the efficiency of the garment to support thermal balance. The performance capability of the SLCWG to remove excess metabolic heat during EVA was assessed by comparison with the LCVG and via metabolic heat development models. The SLCWG findings demonstrated similar thermal balance management and higher subjective comfort ratings compared to the LCVG. However, the SLCWG has not been tested with subjects in a pressurized spacesuit. The current study assessed the thermoregulatory performance of the SLCWG within a pressurized spacesuit during a simulated microgravity EVA. Test subjects are suspended using the DL/H-1 spacesuit within a horizontal harness system while they perform a number of tasks comparable to the ones performed during microgravity EVAs. Performance of the SLCWG is then judged based on skin temperature measurements, calculated core body temperature, and subjective thermal comfort ratings. Based on data retrieved during the control phase, common metabolic heat development models are evaluated and a metabolic heat development model for the DL/H-1 spacesuit is created.Item Use of a Robotic Testing Device to Investigate the Effects of Sizing on Space Suit Joints(50th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 7/12/2021) Green, Will; de Leon, PabloThe return of astronauts to the moon and the future plans for a trip to Mars will lead to an increase in mission duration and an emphasis on surface Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVAs). To make the most of these extended missions an advanced EVA space suit system will be needed. One way to increase astronaut performance through the design of an improved space suit could be sizing the space suit to the individual astronaut anthropometrics. This would reverse the current trend in USA EVA space suits of standardization and a decrease in available component sizes. To determine the benefit of a custom-sized suit system, work needs to be done to identify the potential benefits of individual sizing. Using data collected using the Modular Anthropomorphic Robotic Spacesuit (MARS) joint tester the effect of suit sizing on mobility can be investigated. The MARS joint tester is a space suit joint testing device developed at the University of North Dakota. The testing device replicates the mechanics of a human arm moving a pressurized spacesuit joint while measuring the torque induced on the human-shaped robotic arm by the pressurized space suit arm assembly. The device is modular in that different sized arms can be attached to the system replicating a wide range of anthropometry. The pressurization interface of the tester is designed in such a way as to accommodate a range of space suit joint geometries. With the MARS joint tester, a range of arm sizes can be tested using several spacesuit joints of varying sizes. Preliminary work and has been done using the anthropometry of a roughly 95th percentile male, and will later be supplemented with additional data, from a range of anthropometries.