Extravehicular Activities Page

Extravehicular Activities includes extra vehicular activities (EVA), communications, power systems for EVA operations. Formally titled, Advanced Extra Vehicular Activities (AEVA), this research area is part of NASA's Human System Research and Technology Development Program (HSRT). EVA activities will allow humans to investigate the moon and other planets, to find answers to questions about the formation and origin of the solar system. Through EVA activites, we seek new knowledge, touch the unknown and learn more about our home planet.

Advanced Extra Vehicular Activities develops systems, such as space suits, tools, and mobility aids, that allow the astronaut to leave the vehicle to perform in-space and surface operations. Areas included in AEVA:

• Advanced Communications, Avionics and Informatics for EVA Operations
• Advanced Power Systems for EVA Operations
• Dust Characterization and Mitigation Strategies for EVA Surface Operations

Developing a system that generates, collects, stores, processes, distributes, and displays audio, video and telemetry data. It includes all electronics, computers, controls, sensors and the software to operate the space suit and manage the data intelligently.

State of the art communications and computing capability for audio, video, and telemetry will be developed. The focus is on high tech information systems, with hands-free and heads-up displays. This will allow increased autonomy of EVA operations, and decreased reliance on supporting vehicle or ground systems to process data and manage EVA activities. Improvements in integrated communications will enhance crew-to-vehicle and crew-to-ground support personnel interactions.

Advanced Power Systems for EVA Operations

Developing a system that will provide power to the entire space suit, including the Portable Life Support System, the Thermal System, the Communications System and all supporting avionics. It also includes power systems for EVA tools and mobility aids.

Lightweight, high density power systems, including batteries, fuel cells, and hybrid systems, will provide additional capabilities to the astronaut while performing an EVA, such as enhanced data collection and display and improved on-suit data processing, thereby increasing the efficiency of EVA operations.

Dust Characterization and Mitigation Strategies for EVA Surface Operations

The systematic characterization of the lunar and martian dust environment in which space suits must operate, and the development of testing and simulation techniques to evaluate various mitigation strategies.

Dust repellant and abrasion-resistant materials are required for long duration lunar and martian surface explorations. Establishing appropriate evaluation methods of mitigation strategies will ensure long term durability of EVA systems.

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