MOBILITY AND AGILITY: PILOT STUDY EVALUATION OF LOCOMOTION IN THE MIII SPACE SUIT ASSEMBLY
Conor Cullinane, Bioastronautics PhD Candidate
Abstract:
Manned spaceflight uses spacesuit assemblies (SSAs) to maximize human performance and efficiency, while preventing injury. The Mark III Planetary SSA implements a multi-bearing, hard-material hip brief assembly (HBA). While the HBA reduces the work to change suit volume, it requires movements inconsistent with natural biomechanics. We hypothesize that the HBA alters normal gait (as measured by speed, step length, stride length, cadence, and base width).