Z series space suits
{{Short description|Series of prototype space suit models}}
{{Update|type=|date=March 2019|reason=}}Image:Z-1 Spacesuit Prototype - standing Nov 2012.jpg
The Z series is a series of prototype extra-vehicular activity (EVA) space suits being developed in the Advanced Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AEMU) project under NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) program. The suits are being designed to be used for both micro-gravity and planetary EVAs.
Along with a NASA designed life support system, the new higher pressure Z suits allow for bypassing pre-breathe and allows for quick donning of the suit and exit of the space craft. The Z-1 is the first suit to be successfully integrated into a suitport dock mechanism eliminating the need for an air lock, and reducing the consumable demands on long term missions. A later variant is planned to be tested on the International Space Station in 2017.Popsci, [http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-10/deep-space-suit?single-page-view=true The Deep-Space Suit] Retrieved on 2012-12-21.
Versions
=Z-1=
The Z-1 suit consists of a soft upper torso, soft lower torso, glove assembly, boot assembly and hemispherical dome helmet.{{cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20130013652_2013013444.pdf|title=Suitport Feasibility - Human Pressurized Space Suit Donning Tests with the Marman C lamp and Pneumatic Flipper Suitport Concepts|author1=Robert M. Boyle|author2= Liana Rodriggs|author3=Charles Allton|author4=Mallory Jennings|author5=Lindsay Aitchison|date=1 January 2012|publisher=NASA|access-date=25 June 2013}} Z-1 is called a "soft" suit because when unpressurized its primary structures are pliable fabrics, although it does have several hard mobility elements. The suit has a mass of {{convert|126|lb|kg}}, with the suitport interface plate (SIP) it is {{convert|154|lb|kg}}, and with the SIP and portable life support system (PLSS) mock-up it is {{convert|162|lb|kg}}.{{cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20130011564_2013011148.pdf|title=Z-1 Prototype Space Suit Testing Summary |last=Ross|first=Amy|date=1 June 2012|publisher=NASA|access-date=25 June 2013}}
The Z-1 prototype was designed and built by ILC Dover for NASA.Delaware Business Daily, [http://www.dougrainey.com/nasa-prototype-spacesuit-ilc-dover-named-top-tech-product/ Z-1 Top Tech].Retrieved on 2012-12-21. The Z-1 was named one of Time magazine's Best inventions of the year for 2012.Best Inventions 2012, [https://techland.time.com/2012/11/01/best-inventions-of-the-year-2012/slide/nasas-z-1-space-suit/ NASA’s Z-1 Space Suit] . Retrieved on 2012-12-21. Because of its unique neon green colored stripes on the arms and legs, the suit has entered popular culture as the "Buzz Lightyear Suit" for sharing the color worn by the character in the Pixar movie Toy Story.{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/19079-nasa-z-1-spacesuit-photos.html|title=NASA's Z-1 Spacesuit: Buzz Lightyear's Duds (Photos)|work=space.com|access-date=21 June 2016}}
NASA has been running a series of tests on the Z-1. According to a NASA report there have been two parts of the testing: (1) characterize the suit performance to down selection of components for the planned Z-2 Space Suit and (2) "develop interfaces with the suitport and exploration vehicles through pressurized suit evaluations."NASA Technical Reports Server, [https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20120016446&hterms=z-1&qs=Ntx%3Dmode%2520matchallpartial%2520%26Ntk%3DAll%26N%3D0%26Ntt%3Dz-1 Z-1 Prototype Space Suit Testing Summary]. Retrieved on 2012-12-21.
Image:Z-1 Spacesuit Prototype - kneeling Nov 2012.jpg|Z-1 Spacesuit Prototype - kneeling demonstration (November 2012)
Image:Suitport testing - Z1.jpg | Suitport tests with the Z-1 suit
Image:Z-1 suit test during parabolic flight.jpg | Z-1 suit being tested during a parabolic flight
= Z-2 =
{{Update|date=April 2016}}
File:NASA Z-2 spacesuit prototype.jpg
Both ILC Dover and David Clark competed for the $4.4 million contract to design, manufacture and test the Z-2 prototype space suit.{{cite web|url= https://spacenews.com/35077nasa-picks-ilc-dover-to-build-next-gen-spacesuit/ |title= NASA Picks ILC Dover To Build Next-gen Spacesuit|date=26 April 2013|publisher=Space News |access-date=28 January 2023}} In April 2013, it was announced that ILC Dover had won; the contract is expected to last for an 18-month period.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilcdover.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.pageDetails&id=20010&typeID=165 |title=NASA Awards Z-2 Spacesuit Contract To ILC Dover|date=19 April 2013|publisher=ILC Dover|access-date=29 April 2013}}
The Z-2 will use a non-autoclave hard composite upper torso;{{cite web|last1=Sloan|first1=Jeff |title=On Mars, not just any suit will do|url=https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/on-mars-not-just-any-suit-will-do |website=www.compositesworld.com|access-date=28 December 2017|date=10 November 2016}} it is believed this will improve its long-term durability. The design of the shoulder and hip has been improved based on Z-1 testing. The Z-2 will use higher fidelity boots along with materials that are compatible with a full vacuum environment. The suit is expected to have a mass of {{convert|65|kg|lb|disp=flip}}. The Z-2 will be designed to interface with NASA's advanced portable life support system, currently under development at the Johnson Space Center. The suit will also be designed to interface with both classical air locks and suit ports.
The Z-2 prototype suit was expected to be delivered to NASA by November 2014 with a technology readiness level of 7{{cite web|url=http://jscfeatures.jsc.nasa.gov/z2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325015934/http://jscfeatures.jsc.nasa.gov/z2/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 March 2014 |title=Z-2 Spacesuit Design Vote|publisher=NASA|access-date=29 March 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/21fjrf/we_are_nasa_engineers_building_nextgen_spacesuits/ |title=Advanced Suit Development Team - Reddit AMA|date=26 March 2014|access-date=29 March 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ilcdover.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=trees.treePage&p=20006-292-20007 |title= Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Spacesuits |date=April 2013|publisher=ILC Dover|access-date=29 April 2013}} but was delayed until spring 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.techrepublic.com/article/ultimate-wearable-tech-nasa-using-3d-printing-to-design-mars-spacesuit/ |title=Ultimate wearable tech: NASA using 3D printing to design Mars spacesuit - TechRepublic|work=techrepublic.com|access-date=21 June 2016}} Final delivery and testing in a human-rated vacuum chamber and the Neutral Buoyancy Lab is expected in 2018-2019. This is leading up to a human-rated thermal/vacuum chamber test of the suit with its PLSS in 2020.
Portable life support system
The Next Generation Life Support (NGLS) project is developing components that are planned to be part of the portable life support system (PLSS). Two of those components are the Variable Oxygen Regulator (VOR) and the Rapid Cycle Amine (RCA) swing bed.
The VOR is expected to allow the suit pressure to be adjusted to 84 settings between 0 and 8.4 psid.{{cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20120011664_2012011337.pdf|title=Next Generation Life Support Project: Development of Advanced Technologies for Human Exploration Missions|last=Barta|first=Daniel|date=15 July 2012|publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics|access-date=25 June 2013}} The current Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) only has two pressure settings. This new capability will enable in-suit decompression sickness treatment and flexibility for interfacing with different vehicles. It also allows EVAs to start at a higher internal pressure to decrease prebreathe time, and then slowly decrease the pressure afterward in order to maximize mobility and minimize crew fatigue.
The RCA swing bed removes carbon dioxide (CO2) and controls humidity. The RCA CO2 removal capability is regenerated during EVA by exposure to vacuum, making it superior to previous systems. To remove CO2, the current EMU has to use either a lithium hydroxide (LiOH) canister or a Metal Oxide (Metox) canister. The LiOH canister can only be used once. The Metox canister can be reused post-EVA but to do so takes fourteen hours and requires auxiliary equipment, crew time and significant electricity. RCA is expected to weigh less than current comparable systems.