Testing Fit, Mobility, and Comfort of the Exploration Pressure Garment Subsystem (xPGS)

Date
2023-07-16
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems
Abstract

"The Exploration Pressure Garment Subsystem (xPGS) is an anthropomorphic spacesuit that allows crewmembers to conduct work in space. Key aspects of the crew’s ability to do work are the fit, comfort, and mobility of the spacesuit. NASA designed and executed a test series to evaluate the performance of the xPGS in multiple environments and with test subjects from across the anthropometric requirement range. The fit, mobility, and comfort testing was organized into three separate test series: Mobility Test Series #1 - xPGS Fitchecks; Mobility Test Series #2 - Vendor down selection; and Mobility Test Series #3 - xPGS Range of Motion (ROM)/xEVA Functional Task Performance. Each test series had specific objectives and was conducted in series. Mobility test series #1 focused on conducting fitchecks in a 1-g laboratory environment with test subjects from across the anthropometric requirement range. The objective of the test series was to verify a comfortable and functional fit for all test subjects, evaluate reach to key controls and tools, and evaluate nominal and off-nominal donning and doffing. Mobility test series #2 focused on down selecting the various suit softgoods and boot options to the final configuration that would be used for data collection in mobility test series #3. Mobility test series #3 involved both isolated and functional tasks performed in circuits to evaluate the suit’s performance. Test subjects were surveyed on their comfort and level of effort throughout task performance. The fit, mobility, and comfort testing of the xPGS was completed in May of 2022 with excellent feedback and results. Specific lessons learned from the suit’s performance, simulation quality, and test methodology will be provided."

Description
Richard Rhodes, NASA Johnson Space Center, USA
Christine Flaspohler, Jacobs Engineering / NASA Johnson Space Center, USA
Shane McFarland, Aegis Aerospace / KBR HHPC / NASA Johnson Space Center, USA
ICES400: Extravehicular Activity: Space Suits
The 52nd International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Calgary, Canada, on 16 July 2023 through 20 July 2023.
Keywords
spacesuit, mobility, testing, comfort, fit, performance, extravehicular, Extravehicular Activity (EVA), Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU), xEMU Pressure Garment Subsystem (xPGS), Pressure Garment Subsystem (PGS)
Citation