from the can-you-walk-like-an-Egyptian? dept.
Submitted via IRC for SoyCow4408
NASA revealed new spacesuits, specifically created for the Artemis generation of missions, which aim to get the first American woman and the next American man to the surface of the Moon by 2024. The new design’s toppling feature is greater mobility and flexibility, in basically every respect. NASA unveiled both a full suit designed for use in extra-vehicular activities on the surface of the Moon, and a flight suit for use while in transit to lunar orbit.
Guided by NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, the agency first demonstrated the suit that astronauts will use on the surface of the Moon (and, with modifications, eventually on Mars). It’s called the “xEMU” variant, and it looks a lot like what you might think of when you imagine “space suit” in your mind. But it’s quite different in many respects from what astronauts used to visit the surface of the Moon during the Apollo program.
It allows you to actually moonwalk, for instance: The original suit used for Moon-based activities actually only offered enough range of motion for Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to be able to essentially “bunny hop” on the lunar surface, in Bridenstine’s own words. This new design allows them to move around much more dynamically, including actually walking, and offers plenty of range of motion for their arms. Combined with new gloves that actually allow astronauts to freely move their fingers, they can do things like pick up rocks off the lunar surface with relative ease.
The new spacesuit design is also designed to work with virtually everyone who could want to become an astronaut, with inclusive sizing that can accommodate anyone from the “first percentile female to the 99th percentile male,” according to Kristine Davis, an Advanced Space Suit Engineer at NASA and the person who demonstrated the xEMU variant of the suit onstage at the event on Tuesday.
“We want every person who dreams of going into space to be able to say to themselves, that yes, they have that opportunity,” Bridenstine added, regarding the suit’s inclusive design.
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Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:
Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson on Wednesday introduced the custom suits that will be worn by the first private astronauts.
US sportswear designer Under Armour "worked day and night for about two years on this project" said Branson, who himself served as a model at the presentation at a skydiving simulator near New York.
The 69-year-old British billionaire donned the personalized royal blue suit that he plans to wear during his company's inaugural flight—sometime in 2020.
"Spacesuits are a part of the iconography of the first space age. Our visual impressions of human spaceflight and what astronauts wear are inextricably linked," Branson explained. "I love the way the spacewear looks and I love the way it feels."
"I also love the fact that the next time I put it on, I will be on my way to space."
[...] The material for the suits, undergarments and boots were chosen for their ability to aid in the body's temperature and moisture regulation.
A transparent interior pocket was added so space-exploring customers can keep pictures of their loved ones "literally... close to the heart," according to a statement from Virgin Galactic.
[...] Every space tourist will get their own custom suit that they can take home with them back on Earth, complete with a label of their name and their country's flag.
[...] Virgin Galactic, which was founded in 2004, has spent years developing its space program, and after a fatal accident in 2014, has twice crossed the barrier into the final frontier.
But the company has still not yet piloted a space flight with clients on board.
Previously:
NASA's New Artemis Spacesuits Make It Easier for Astronauts of All Sizes to Move on the Moon
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday October 16 2019, @11:36PM (19 children)
That word permeates our society.
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 1, Troll) by Azuma Hazuki on Wednesday October 16 2019, @11:56PM (15 children)
Don't worry, that means you're included too. Unless you're actually so fat that you're over the 99th percentile for male weight. I suspect you're not, or at least, not for any reason that letting out all that hot air with a few well-placed pinpricks couldn't fix :)
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 1, Offtopic) by Runaway1956 on Thursday October 17 2019, @12:04AM (14 children)
Gratuitous sniping, today?
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 1, Troll) by Azuma Hazuki on Thursday October 17 2019, @12:24AM (12 children)
Oh no, I'm more honorable than that. I'd let the air out of you face to face with a hatpin or something, rather than a blowgun :)
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 1, Redundant) by Runaway1956 on Thursday October 17 2019, @12:40AM (11 children)
*rolleyes*
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 1, Troll) by Azuma Hazuki on Thursday October 17 2019, @01:08AM (10 children)
Aww, you care :) You know, I'm beginning to like the taste of blood, metaphorically speaking. You should try to be less of an easy target.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Pslytely Psycho on Thursday October 17 2019, @02:02AM (5 children)
You two need your own TV show.
(:
Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday October 17 2019, @02:35AM
🙃 Is this the correct time to use the upside down smiling face emoji [emojipedia.org]? Particularly given the zero-G implications.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Thursday October 17 2019, @02:56AM
-1 eww
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 17 2019, @06:25AM
pay per view?
(Score: 2) by edIII on Thursday October 17 2019, @08:57PM
It would be like the Odd Couple, just better :)
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 1, Troll) by Azuma Hazuki on Thursday October 17 2019, @11:14PM
Eh...it'd be short and violent, like watching a female Dexter at work. TV's already saturated with gornography so why make more?
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 17 2019, @10:41AM (3 children)
You cunni partener is menstruating?
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Thursday October 17 2019, @11:07PM (2 children)
Not for another 10-12 days by my reckoning. And if you had ever been with a woman in your life you'd know period blood isn't always like what you get from a cut. Here's a hint: chunks. Endometrium is being shed after all. Intelligent Design (TM)!
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 18 2019, @05:22AM (1 child)
Not a great way to begin liking the taste of blood in your mouth, but then to each one to her liking. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Saturday October 19 2019, @12:16AM
If your lover is female and menstruating and still wants you to do that to her, use a dental dam. This isn't rocket science. ...though I think I may have made an unwarranted assumption in that first sentence :D
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 17 2019, @10:37AM
Unless you want to pay for it, be happy it was offered free of charge
But if you prefer the other way, payment options can be arranged, just say so.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 17 2019, @12:11AM (1 child)
NASA must have been overtaken by the SJWs. NASA’s New Artemis Spacesuits... just call them what they are...
NASA’s new fatsuits.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 17 2019, @12:15AM
There. FTFY.
(Score: 2) by shortscreen on Thursday October 17 2019, @05:18AM
But this is one of the times when it actually means something rather straightforward.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 16 2019, @11:36PM (1 child)
Not sure how they'll fit the mobility scooter into the spaceship, but it's nice to seen them being inclusive of typical 320 pound Americans.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday October 17 2019, @02:38AM
Not needed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhIpdSZQZlI [youtube.com]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday October 17 2019, @12:17AM (1 child)
You don't want fatsos in space. Arguably, you don't even want males on long duration missions [smithsonianmag.com]. You might want to consider sending midgets/dwarves. Better yet, send robots.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by Bot on Thursday October 17 2019, @12:31PM
get more battery they said, you will have more fun, they said.
Account abandoned.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 17 2019, @12:47AM
Don’t tell me they’re going to imitate Michael Jackson on the moon!
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Thursday October 17 2019, @12:56AM
Do they come with new Armani Spacebags?
What are the shoes? Last season's Pradas?
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 4, Insightful) by MostCynical on Thursday October 17 2019, @01:24AM
No training
No money
Can't fit into the capsule
Colourblind
Blind
Disabled
Etc etc
Yes, anyone can go to space
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 17 2019, @01:58AM (1 child)
The new spacesuits are also equipped with ultra-absorbent material so you can just pee or take a massive shit if you feel like it while performing an extra long spacewalk.
2 girls, one spacesuit, IN SPAAAAACEEEEE.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 17 2019, @02:23AM
Human Centipede 4: International Shit Station.
(Score: 2) by KritonK on Thursday October 17 2019, @07:31AM
When I imagine “space suit” in my mind, I imagine something like that, but even slimmer and with only a small rectangular air pack or a small oxygen bottle or two on the back, instead of that bulky backpack. Think 2001-style spacesuits, but with a round helmet.
Despite 2001 supposedly being scientifically accurate, I don't think we can do away with that bulky backpack. Astronauts need a large supply of air, if they are to have any reasonable autonomy and, if I remember correctly from the Apollo missions, the backpack also has to contain an air conditioning unit.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 17 2019, @12:52PM (2 children)
NASA's video showing off the spacesuit did not appear to have it inflated?
A space suite does not get interesting until you are Bib the Michelin man.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday October 17 2019, @01:10PM
Looks like they don't need a working suit anytime soon:
A House budget committee has likely killed the 2024 Moon landing [arstechnica.com]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 17 2019, @01:55PM
That was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the video. Looks like equal pressure on the inside and outside so of course someone can fairly easily bend over and pick something up off the ground...