Nikhil Vadhavkar, Bioastronautics PhD Candidate
“Thermal Control for Mars EVA”
ABSTRACT
The current portable life support system (PLSS) architecture for extravehicular activity (EVA) is not optimized for the increased gravity level and thin, cold atmosphere of Mars. The thermoregulation subsystem requires the sublimation of consumable water. Mechanical counter pressure (MCP) suits can leverage the interaction between the Mars atmosphere and the astronaut to simplify astronaut thermoregulation and reduce dependence upon consumables. We present a novel approach for integrating a high-fidelity Mars weather model with a high-resolution, transient human thermoregulation model to analyze the performance and inform the design of an MCP suit for Mars. We model the metabolic profile of an EVA under “hot” environmental conditions and analyze core body temperature and localized sensation. We conclude that core temperature is within physiological limits. Allowance for modest sweat evaporation (Qevap = 54–62 W) prevents heat exhaustion in this model, suggesting the regulation of evaporative cooling as a possible thermal control system.