NASA Unveils New ‘Z-2’ Spacesuit Design For Future Mars Missions
NASA has unveiled a futuristic new design for its Z-2 spacesuit that could someday be used in long-duration space missions to Mars.
An update to the Tron-inspired Z-2 design that the American space agency announced last year, the new spacesuit sports a similar grey colour but this time has added red electroluminescent details for better visibility in darkness.
The bulkier 2014 prototype was the result of a design competition and introduced a hard upper torso along with improved shoulder and hip joints to make it easier for astronauts to move around.
A statement from the space agency explains: “NASA is developing the next generation of suit technologies that will enable deep space exploration by incorporating advancements such as regenerable carbon dioxide removal systems and water evaporation systems that more efficiently provide crew members with core necessities such as breathing air and temperature regulation”.
While existing NASA spacesuits are modular and have to be put on piece by piece, the new Z-2 has a rear-entry hatch, just like the Russian ‘Orlan’ spacesuit, meaning that astronauts can simply climb in through the back.
Unlike current suits, the new design is designed to be used both in space and on planetary surfaces.
The previous Z-1 spacesuit prototype model looked strikingly similar to Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear.
NASA’s Advanced Exploration Systems Division is currently working on the Z-2 spacesuit prototype which could one day be worn by the first humans to step foot on Mars.
It is likely that the suit will see more improvements and a series of new design updates before it is taken on deep space missions.
Earlier this week, NASA revealed that solar winds stripped away Mars’ Earth-like atmosphere, transforming it into a cold, dry planet.
In September, the space agency announced that it had discovered evidence of flowing water on Mars.
NASA plans to send a manned mission to the red planet in the 2030s.
Image credit: NASA
