Lunar EVA boots for Artemis missions will feature a rigid thermal plate to withstand extreme temperatures at the Lunar South Pole. On Earth, the Windlass mechanism enhances foot rigidity during gait by dorsiflexing the great toe, aiding efficient movement. However, its role in Lunar ambulation and potential inhibition by a rigid plate remain unclear. This study examined 20 participants (mean age 21.4) walking, running, and skipping under simulated Lunar and Terrestrial gravity. Motion capture data analyzed the Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) range of motion (ROM) and foot arch height (FAH). No significant differences (p > .05) were found between gravity conditions, suggesting Windlass engagement during Lunar ambulation. Findings indicate Lunar EVA boots should allow 13.8° ± 0.5° of flexion for optimal toe-off efficiency. While a rigid thermal plate is necessary, an adaptive insole may support the Windlass mechanism, mitigating potential musculoskeletal risks associated with prolonged EVA use.

This preliminary investigation aimed to observe individuals with disabilities participating in the ingress and egress procedures of Lockheed Martin's Orion and Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. Motivated by the aspiration for inclusivity in space programs and the introduction of the first parastronaut within the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA funded the present study, which utilized motion capture and video analysis to study the entry and exit processes in detail. Data encompassed total time taken, phase interval duration, steps executed, missed steps, and various kinematic factors related to balance during walking. The study comprised eight participants: three fully-abled individuals formed the control group and five with leg amputations formed the experimental group. Among the experimental group, there were two individuals with left leg amputations, both below the knee; two with right leg amputations, one above the knee and one below the knee; and one individual with bilateral above-knee amputations. Several significant findings emerged from the analysis. Firstly, it was observed that, on average, the experimental group could complete egress from the capsule environments in less than 50 s. Secondly, on average, the experimental group took 7.7 s longer than the control group to complete ingress and 9.19 s longer to complete egress. Notably, the experimental group utilized more balancing mechanisms during ingress and egress procedures. The data indicated that individuals with lower limb deficiency should feasibly enter and exit the capsule environment safely within 60 s. However, it was observed that these processes required more movements, suggesting compensation for the mobility limitations of prosthetics. Despite slight variations in mobility sequencing, participants with prosthetic limbs completed the tasks within acceptable timeframes. They adeptly navigated through unfamiliar environments without tripping or colliding with any elements. Notably, the participants were novices to the capsule environment, indicating that highly trained parastronauts should be capable of safely entering and exiting the environment.

Mobility performance capability of Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) space suits will be critical for future planetary exploration missions. Paragon Space Development Corporation (Paragon) has developed a commercial EVA space suit prototype. The Human Spaceflight Laboratory of University of North Dakota (UND) conducted kinematic motion research of Paragon's EVA space suit. Thirteen test subjects, seven females and six males, participated in UND kinematic research of the Paragon EVA space suit. Test subjects volunteered for the study with an average age of 23.5 years, height of 172.3 cm, and weight of 71.8 kg. Each participant performed a series of movements in unsuited condition and then in the space suit under differential pressure. The movements involved flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction at the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and index and middle fingers. Work envelopes were defined for the Paragon EVA space suit upper limbs. Kinematic data was measured using a 58-point reflective marker set. Test subjects' movements were recorded with a ten-camera Vicon Motion Capture System. Data were processed using Vicon Nexus 2.16 and Procalc 1.6 software. Joint center locations were determined using the Score and Sara geometric sphere method. Specialized MATLAB scripts were employed for calculating work envelopes. During the research it was found that the work envelope at the suit shoulder was equal to or superior to previously examined suits. Paragon's EVA suit range of motion was equal to or superior to previous examinations of pressurized EVA suits. This study presented the first work envelope measurements for wrist and thumb joints. UND offers novel methods for gathering space suit kinematic motion data.

The next era of human spaceflight will see the return of astronauts to the lunar surface, requiring frequent planetary EVAs by an astronaut corps in diverse body shapes and sizes. Future suits must be designed to accommodate the growing and changing population of astronauts, and provide optimal fit, comfort, and mobility. The torso of the spacesuit is a critical component in determining the fitment and function of a suit system. This paper presents a design framework for generating custom shaped Hard Upper Torsos (HUTs) from a 3-dimensional body scan. In this framework a principal component (PC) analysis was performed on a 3D body scan database of the general population. A set of clusters was statistically identified, each of the which represents a distinct torso shape and size. The computer design of the HUT geometry was manually adjusted for optimal fit for each cluster. The obtained HUT geometries were processed for PC analysis and statistically modelled, so that an arbitrary torso shape can predict a HUT geometry hypothetically yielding an optimal fit. While this technique constituted a custom sizing scheme, a “standard” sizing scheme was additionally built, in which a discrete number of HUT sizes (small, medium, large, etc.) was identified for maximum accommodation of the population. To determine the improvement of fit, 3D printed mockups were fabricated for the standard and the custom shaped HUT, based on the 3D body scan of test volunteers. The perceived fit and comfort was assessed by a structures survey. Mobility was measured by patterns and ranges of the upper extremity motions. The testing and data analysis is currently in progress, and the details will be presented in the full manuscript.

Humans have stepped on the Lunar surface for less than 80 h of Extravehicular Activity, providing a narrow understanding of Lunar gait patterns. NASA's Human-crewed Artemis missions are quickly approaching; un-derstanding how fractional gravity affects gait patterns will be critical for the Moon's and Mars' long-term habitation. This study examined gait patterns under 1.0 g (Earth), simulated 0.38 g (Martian), and 0.17 g (Lunar). Participants walked and ran on a treadmill supported by ARGOS (Active Response Gravity Offload System), simulating fractional gravity. Vicon motion capture data and principal component analysis software were used to capture and quantify coordinated gait structures. There were found to be significant differences (p < 0.05) in the coordinative gait structures for ambulation between fractional gravity conditions. Additionally, there were significantly higher asymmetric gait components for Lunar conditions. Finally, a skipping coordi-native structure was identified within Lunar and Martian running.

Past research efforts have focused on the energy difference between altered locomotion methods in reduced gravity at different speeds, suggesting that skipping is energetically more efficient than walking and running in these environments. While skipping may be more beneficial from an energy standpoint, the full range of reasons behind the gait transition and locomotion selection have not been researched. This includes damage to the leg muscles, which is partially prevented by a transition from walking to running locomotion methods known as the walk-run transition. In a space environment, these factors will play a role in astronaut health and injury prevention. Participants walked, ran, and skipped on a treadmill for this study while being supported by an analog for activity on other planets called the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS). These intervals were performed under 1g, then under simulated 0.38g, and 0.17g conditions to simulate gravity conditions on Mars and the Moon. Electromyography was used to monitor muscle activation, along with the Vicon motion capture system for 3D motion analysis. Results show that there are significant changes (p < 0.05) in activation of the TA and MG under simulated Martian and Lunar gravity conditions, as well as significant changes (p < 0.05) in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion under several conditions. These findings suggest that there are fundamental changes in the way humans move in these reduced gravity environments and that the effect these changes have on the body should be included in the development of astronaut training regimen and equipment development. These changes may affect safety issues associated with locomotion, including increased trip and fall risks. Additionally, the reduction of energy expenditure demonstrated in this study, as well as detrimental effects from gait asymmetry on muscle growth, may prove to be counterproductive to efforts meant to reduce muscle and bone degradation in reduced gravity environments. The efficacy of running or skipping as preferred methods of locomotion in reduced gravity environments are yet to be sufficiently supported by gait analysis.

This paper presents a multi-tier safe implementation of the Spacesuit Integrated Carbon Nanotube Dust Ejection/Removal (SPIcDER) system. SPIcDER mitigates dust contamination of spacesuits and flexible surfaces during surface exploration of Moon and Mars. SPIcDER has Carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers embedded within the spacesuit outerlayer. These are energized using high voltage, low power, Alternating Current (AC) signals ( similar to 350-1000 V). Laboratory experiments show the time-varying electric fields produced by SPIcDER repel the dust.This system mitigates astronaut exposures to lunar dust, and protects spacesuits and flexible surfaces from dust abrasion, wear and tear, and reduction in thermal performance. The adherence of lunar dust, and its entry into the habitable volume of habitats/landers, which was a major problem during Apollo missions, is also minimized.In this study, we review the primary health and safety aspects of SPIcDER for astronauts operating in these spacesuits. Simulation using ANSYS Maxwell (R) and preliminary experimental investigations were performed to conduct safety analysis and provide recommendations for implementation of SPIcDER for lunar mission opera-tions.

Nearly half a century ago, two papers postulated the likelihood of lunar lava tube caves using mathematical models. Today, armed with an array of orbiting and fly-by satellites and survey instrumentation, we have now acquired cave data across our solar system-including the identification of potential cave entrances on the Moon, Mars, and at least nine other planetary bodies. These discoveries gave rise to the study of planetary caves. To help advance this field, we leveraged the expertise of an interdisciplinary group to identify a strategy to explore caves beyond Earth. Focusing primarily on astrobiology, the cave environment, geology, robotics, instrumentation, and human exploration, our goal was to produce a framework to guide this subdiscipline through at least the next decade. To do this, we first assembled a list of 198 science and engineering questions. Then, through a series of social surveys, 114 scientists and engineers winnowed down the list to the top 53 highest priority questions. This exercise resulted in identifying emerging and crucial research areas that require robust development to ultimately support a robotic mission to a planetary cave-principally the Moon and/or Mars. With the necessary financial investment and institutional support, the research and technological development required to achieve these necessary advancements over the next decade are attainable. Subsequently, we will be positioned to robotically examine lunar caves and search for evidence of life within Martian caves; in turn, this will set the stage for human exploration and potential habitation of both the lunar and Martian subsurface.

To the Editor-2021 is the International Year of Caves and Karst (IYCK).To honor this occasion, we wish to emphasize the vast potential embodied in planetary

With the increasing interest in establishment of long duration outposts for lunar exploration, it is imperative that we overcome the challenges posed by the lunar environment. Lunar dust has proved to cause abrasion, thermal problems, wear and tear of materials exposed to the environments, making it a major challenge for surface operations, as witnessed during the Apollo missions. Rigid and flexible materials utilized for space hardware need to be protected from the dust contamination and degradation to extend their performance and life time for long duration missions on the lunar surface.

Lunar dust proved to be troublesome during the Apollo missions. The powdery dust got into everything, abrading spacesuit fabric, clogging seals and other critical equipment. Even inside the lunar module, Apollo astronauts were exposed to this dust after they removed their dust coated spacesuits. The lunar dust is comprised of fine particles, with electric charges imparted by solar winds and ultraviolet radiation. As such, it adheres readily, and easily penetrates through the smallest crevices into mechanisms. While efforts are under way to figure out how to return astronauts to the Moon and set up habitats for long duration missions, the issue of lunar dust remains relevant. Consequently, NASA has identified dust as a critical environmental challenge to overcome for future planetary surface missions characterized by dusty environments. Several concepts were successfully investigated by the international research community for preventing deposition of lunar dust on rigid surfaces (ex: solar cells and thermal radiators). However, applying these technologies for flexible surfaces and specifically to spacesuits has remained an open challenge, due to the complexity of the suit design, geometry, and dynamics. In our research, we developed a Spacesuit Integrated Carbon nanotube Dust Ejection/Removal (SPIcDER) system to protect spacesuits and other flexible surfaces from lunar dust. SPIcDER leverages the efficient Electrodynamic Dust Shield concept developed at NASA for use on solar cells. It is customized for dust mitigation on flexible surfaces, using novel materials and specialized design techniques. The result is a self-cleaning spacesuit that can repel lunar dust. This paper provides an overview of the SPIcDER system and showcases our working prototypes, ranging from coupons to a scaled portion of a lunar spacesuit segment. The design is supported by parametric analysis in ANSYS Maxwell for optimizing SPIcDER integration into the spacesuit outerlayer. The paper emphasizes design considerations for astronaut safety, based on analysis and experimental results. The SPIcDER system can be optimized efficiently for potential missions to Mars and asteroids, as well as for Earth based applications.

Background: An inflatable lunar/Mars analog habitat (ILMAH), simulated closed system isolated by HEPA filtration, mimics International Space Station (ISS) conditions and future human habitation on other planets except for the exchange of air between outdoor and indoor environments. The ILMAH was primarily commissioned to measure physiological, psychological, and immunological characteristics of human inhabiting in isolation, but it was also available for other studies such as examining its microbiological aspects. Characterizing and understanding possible changes and succession of fungal species is of high importance since fungi are not only hazardous to inhabitants but also deteriorate the habitats. Observing the mycobiome changes in the presence of human will enable developing appropriate countermeasures with reference to crew health in a future closed habitat.Results: Succession of fungi was characterized utilizing both traditional and state-of-the-art molecular techniques during the 30-day human occupation of the ILMAH. Surface samples were collected at various time points and locations to observe both the total and viable fungal populations of common environmental and opportunistic pathogenic species. To estimate the cultivable fungal population, potato dextrose agar plate counts method was utilized. The internal transcribed spacer region-based iTag Illumina sequencing was employed to measure the community structure and fluctuation of the mycobiome over time in various locations. Treatment of samples with propidium monoazide (PMA; a DNA intercalating dye for selective detection of viable microbial populations) had a significant effect on the microbial diversity compared to non-PMA-treated samples. Statistical analysis confirmed that viable fungal community structure changed (increase in diversity and decrease in fungal burden) over the occupation time. Samples collected at day 20 showed distinct fungal profiles from samples collected at any other time point (before or after). Viable fungal families like Davidiellaceae, Teratosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales, and Pleosporaceae were shown to increase during the occupation time.Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that the overall fungal diversity in the closed habitat changed during human presence; therefore, it is crucial to properly maintain a closed habitat to preserve it from deteriorating and keep it safe for its inhabitants. Differences in community profiles were observed when statistically treated, especially of the mycobiome of samples collected at day 20. On a genus level Epiccocum, Alternaria, Pleosporales, Davidiella, and Cryptococcus showed increased abundance over the occupation time.

This chapter covers the history of the Argentine Condor I and Condor II missiles: their origins, their development, and the circumstances that led to their cancellation. The Condor I and II rockets were developed and built by the Argentine Air Force between 1979 and 1990. From the beginning of the 1960s to the end of the 1980s, Argentina was the only Latin American country to accomplish significant developments in rocketry. During the last years of the military Junta, and the first years of the government of Raid Alfonsin, an important investment in infrastructure and equipment was made. The training of hundreds of rocket specialists allowed Argentina to master solid propellant rocket manufacturing, as well as TVC flexible nozzle design and manufacturing, hypersonic, guidance and control, and more. These "dual use" technologies could be utilized for missiles, as well as for space launch systems. Despite the fact than the Condor rocket motor was fully developed and operational, in the beginning of the 1990s the government of Carlos Menem decided to cancel the project and disperse the engineers and technicians involved. This was done mainly due to international pressures and marked the beginning of a decade of "automatic alignment" of Argentine policies with those of the United States. The cancellation of the Condor program had long lasting effects in the Argentine space program in general, and in the development of regional solid rocket propulsion systems in particular.