Space Apps Challenge 2018

ABSTRACT

The times when human walked out in space for a few hours to fly around ISS is going to become something peripheral with Mars colonization, when people face with exploration on their own. Since that, it would be unforgivable to take away one of the most significant human ability to explore - tactile senses. This problem remained unseen during short-term spacewalks, but this is about to be changed as soon as first expeditions will start their preparing to this dangerous journey.

The key points are:

- to provide an ability to feel sense of force applied

- receiving feedback from environment without painful feelings for astronaut

- the spacesuit may alert explorer about critical damage BEFORE situation becomes critical

GENERAL APPROACH

The quantum tunneling effect in composite materials and electroactive polymers has been considered. We proposed to use QTC composite textile to measure interaction with spacesuit in the most exposed to damage suit parts, such as back, neck, chest etc . We proposed to use 3-layer matrix with X- and Y- conducting mesh in order to determine exact position of applied force and it's value. Tactile simulating part is considered with respect to glove made from electroactive polymer. We also proposed to log all process information with RF connection. This approach will help to determine possible emergency situations with crew members outside the base BEFORE the incident would have been reported.

SUMMARY

- The analysis performed, as well as appropriate science experiments, fairly shows possibility of creating such technology as tactile sensor integrated in space suit;

- The technology will definitely assist coping with local MARS difficulties: both predicting upcoming obstacles and detecting possible dangerous damage for spacesuit;

-More experiments should be performed in order to find out how QTC textile is affected by open space radiation, as well as more attention should be paid to investigation of life cycle of this invention;