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A new system has been designed to simulate orbital-extravehicular (EVA) work to provide for real-time measurement of physiological parameters. Such a system described here incorporates an experimental protocol, exercising subject, controlled-atmosphere chamber, EVA-work simulation exercise device, medical instrumentation and a data acquisition system. Applications of the neutral-buoyancy method and other laboratory-simulation methods are described. This information is presented to facilitate the understanding of this exercise device as a possible additional orbital-EVA work-simulation tool. Important engineering issues associated with the design of the proposed system are discussed.

Past space suits and the current Shuttle suit, which are constructed primarily from fabric, use the Integrated Thermal and Micrometcoroid Garment, which insulates the astronaut from his environment. The new generation of hard suits affords designers the opportunity to incorporate thermal control into the suit structure. Environmental influence on the suit temperature and heat flux can then he minimized with a high reflectance coating. Candidate coatings have been identified and ranked on the basis of thermophysical properties; wear, corrosion and atomic oxygen degradation resistance; and coating process and cost. Laboratory determination of properties, thermal cycling and wear resistance tests are underway to identify the optimum coating. A computer model is being developed to evaluate various environmental configurations. Preliminary results are presented here.