Current NASA spacesuits use gas to maintain atmospheric pressure inside the suit. While necessary for the astronauts to survive, it makes the suits very difficult to work in. MIT astronautics engineer Dava Newman has developed a solution: A flexible, protective suit that applies the pressure needed directly to the astronaut’s body. Her suit will give astronauts new flexibility and range of motion as we look forward towards the exploration of other planets.
She explained her ideas on this World Science Festival video.
