High-Tech Spacesuits Eyed for ‘Extreme Exploration

[qbollv]

Not sure if this is the correct forum for this post, but was unable to find one more appropriate. But I'd like to comment on the article for Tech Wednesday. The concept and technology for such a suit is really quite fascinating and I believe it is a step in the right direction. However, it is a little late in coming. I believe we should have been there and gone already. The American Public has waited on the government way too long. Only now and in the past couple of years has private industry taken serious steps to exploring space. Space Shuttle astronauts should have been in suits similar to that in the 80's. Yes, the technology WAS there, it just was not developed because people were lazy waiting on a government not willing to make it a priority. That is the problem with NASA, too much government. Too much government hinders advancements. NASA should be taken over by private industry, as a conglomerate. We've proven that we can do this without the government. Space is not for government, it is for the People. <br /><br />Stories like this are encouraging, to be sure. Fascinating to say the least. No doubt these suits will be a huge benefit for EVA missions. While human beings are not adaptable to space, long exposures to the elements, we have methods to allow this to happen now. But again, it's been too long in happening.<br /><br />That's just my opinion. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />---<br />Best Regards,<br />Jesse Helmick, Model Railroader & Amateur Astronomer<br />Train Web: http://trains.jdhnv.com<br />Discussion Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/randvtrains/<br />Fantasy Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MugglesAndWarriors/<br />--------------------------------<br />"Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with w

 

[drurywoodson]

Did anyone else notice that the article had almost no mention whatsoever of how they plan to deal with thermal issues?

 

[heyo]

<i>That is the problem with NASA, too much government. Too much government hinders advancements. NASA should be taken over by private industry, as a conglomerate. We've proven that we can do this without the government. Space is not for government, it is for the People. </i><br /><br />Clink! Clink! (That is the sound of me clinking glasses in celebration of that comment)<br /><br />Government sucks at everything it does. If you doubt that, go to the DMV. The only problem is how will planetary exploration yield a return on investment?<br /><br />Heyo

 

[peacekeeper]

Where can I find this article you speak of?<br /><br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Government sucks at everything it does.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />That's not quite true. I am as capitalistic as you can get, but even I have to admit that some things are best left to the government. Space exploration is <i>not</i> one of then though.

 

[najab]

<i>>[E]ven I have to admit that some things are best left to the government. Space exploration is not one of then though.</i><p>I beg to differ. Exploration has and probably always will be an undertaking of Governments. However, once the focus shifts from exploration to <i>exploitation</i>, Government should take a back seat and content itself with taxing the returns from development.</p>

 

[bobw]

It is one of the feature articles on todays home page for space dot com. Something amazing every day!<br /><br />http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/spacesuit_innovations_050126.html<br /><br />I think it is WAY in the future, like a dream <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[toymaker]

I find that article sad.<br />Why ? <br />Simple-they shouldn't be making one 50 mln $ suit for future exploration.They should make fifty suits each costing one milion $ instead. I do realize though that this a part of exploration and pushing the boundries of science forward.But wish we would be beyond, as it makes missions more costly.They should have standardized equipment. Sure the suits are great etc. but not for standard missions and exploration that we should already have.

 

[toymaker]

"I think it is WAY in the future, like a dream "<br />It's likely to get involved with military Future Soldier program.They already developed a crude exoskeleton helping with carrying weight.

 

[bobw]

Maybe I'm reading it wrong. I thought they were going to spray it on people and like wash it off or something. My bad. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[peacekeeper]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Exploration has and probably always will be an undertaking of Governments. However, once the focus shifts from exploration to exploitation, Government should take a back seat and content itself with taxing the returns from development.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />Ah, yes. That's very true. And it's excactly what I meant. I just didn't have the time to write it all at the moment. Sorry about that.