Mon, Apr 29, 2013
Next Generation Spacesuit Designed To Meet Changing Mission Requirements
NASA has awarded an 18 month contract for the design, manufacture and testing the next generation of NASA's spacesuits – the Z-2 - to ILC Dover. The new suit, designed for enhanced spacewalk capability, will operate at higher pressure levels than previous models, which will greatly improve exploration work efficiency.
"This contract is a testimonial to the continued trust and faith NASA and the Johnson Space Center (JSC) have in ILC Dover – a partnership that has existed since the Apollo space missions," said Patricia Stoll, Space Suit Assembly Product Manager, ILC Dover. "We are honored to have been awarded this contract and we look forward to working with NASA to develop the next generation spacesuit that may eventually walk on the surface of the moon or Mars."
The Z-2 will be designed to interface with NASA's portable life support system currently under development at the JSC. The new suit will also be designed to interface with both classical air locks and NASA's latest suit port design.
ILC Dover will be working with the following teammates on this project: Air-Lock Inc., Analytical Mechanical Associates, University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials, Wolverine World Wide, Devilsfork Consulting, and the Philadelphia University.
The public will be able to track the various stages of manufacturing, testing and delivery of the Z-2 through a specifically designated section of ILC Dover's website.
(Image provided by ILC Dover)
More News
Light Gun A handheld directional light signaling device which emits a brilliant narrow beam of white, green, or red light as selected by the tower controller. The color and type of>[...]
"The journey to this achievement started nearly a decade ago when a freshly commissioned Gentry, driven by a fascination with new technologies and a desire to contribute significan>[...]
Aero Linx: JAARS, Inc. For decades now, we’ve landed planes on narrow rivers and towering mountains. We’ve outfitted boats and vehicles to reach villages that rarely se>[...]
"Our driven and innovative team of military and civilian Airmen delivers combat power daily, ensuring our nation is ready today and tomorrow." Source: General Duke Richardson, AFMC>[...]
Aircraft Conflict Predicted conflict, within EDST of two aircraft, or between aircraft and airspace. A Red alert is used for conflicts when the predicted minimum separation is 5 na>[...]