New Z-2 design will be made using 3D printed parts created from laser scans of astronauts

Suitport will allow suit to connect directly to landing habitats and vehicles

Astronauts can simply open the back of the suit and step out once it has been attached - without using an airlock


Nasa has confirmed that it plans to send the first astronauts to Mars wearing a radical new 'Tron' spacesuit.

3D printed for each astronaut, the new suit, called Z-2, will allow astronauts to walk on the Martian surface far more easily.

Unlike the figure hugging suit worn by Matt Damon in the hit film the Martian, it will allow astronauts to exit through the suit's rear - without having to go into an airlock.

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Unlike the figure hugging suit worn by Matt Damon in the hit film the Martian, Nasa's Z-2 will allow astronauts to exit through the suit's rear - without having to go into an airlock.

An update to the Tron-inspired Z-2 design that the American space agency announced last year, the

sports a similar grey colour but this time has added red electroluminescent details for better visibility in darkness.

It will also be far easier to put on - and could simply be attached to the side of a habitat module or rover without the need for an airlock.

The Z-2 will offer Mars-walkers “maximum astronaut productivity on a planetary surface.”

'Nasa is developing the next generation of suit technologies that will enable deep space exploration by incorporating advancements such as regenerable carbon dioxide removal systems and water evaporation systems that more efficiently provide crew members with core necessities such as breathing air and temperature regulation,' the space agency said.

'The Z-2 suit is a technology demonstrator for a planetary surface suit; the suit is designed for maximum astronaut productivity on a planetary surface – exploring, collecting samples, and maneuvering in and out of habitats and rovers.

The EMU (operational spacesuit on ISS) is pictured above on the left, the PXS (advanced prototype) is in the middle and the Z2 (advanced prototype) is on the right.

'The Z-2 uses advanced composites to achieve a light-weight, high-durability suit that can withstand long-duration missions in the harsh environments found on Mars.

'Adjustable shoulder and waist sizing features maximize the range of crewmember sizes who can fit into any single suit.'

Nasa also revealed two other suit designs.

'Mobility and fit of a pressurized suit are extremely important in keeping astronauts productive, so NASA is focusing on space suit designs to help crews work more efficiently and safely during spacewalks. NASA is evaluating pressurizable space suits for missions to a variety of exploration destinations.

The new suit designs arwe very different from the figure hugging version worn by Matt Damon in the film The Martian.

'The PXS suit is a technology demonstrator focused on improving suit fit and performance while minimizing the amount of equipment required for long-duration missions to low-Earth orbit and beyond.

'The PXS uses a novel approach incorporating sizing features that could one day be 3-D printed on-orbit, in transit, or on Mars to achieve a customized fit for any crew member or change the orientation of bearings to optimize EVA mobility for different mission phases.'

The Z-2 uses advanced composites to achieve a light-weight, high-durability suit that can withstand long-duration missions

'The Z-2 suit is a technology demonstrator for a planetary surface suit - and has adjustable boots opened by a clasp rather that heavy 'moon boots'

NASA'S PROTOTYPE Z-2 SUITS The public was given three choices of suit designs for the suit: The Biomimicry suit was inspired by the ocean and has been designed to mirror ‘the bioluminescent qualities of aquatic creatures found at incredible depths, and the scaly skin of fish and reptiles found across the globe.’ The Technology suit ‘pays homage to spacesuit achievements of the past while incorporating subtle elements of the future’. It is fitted with Luminex wire and patches that emit light to make it easier to identify crew members during spacewalks, for example. The Trends in Society suit is ‘reflective of what every day clothes may look like in the not too distant future.’ It uses electroluminescent wire and a bright colour scheme to mimic the look of sportswear and wearable tech. Advertisement

Astronauts will crawl into the Z-series suits from the back, through a hatch that could even be built into landing modules, meaning there would be no need for a traditional airlock.

Suitports are an alternative to airlocks, potentially allowing astronauts to enter and exit habitat modules, rovers and other structures quickly and easily without bringing dust and other contaminants inside.

'They're going to be suitport-compatible,' he said.

The Z-series suits are designed to allow astronauts far more flexibility than current designs used on the International Space Station.

'We're trying to design [the new suit] to accommodate both improved microgravity EVA [extravehicular activity] capability as well as surface capability, ' NASA spacesuit engineer Amy Ross said in a video released by the space agency.

The design was chosen for the next generation spacesuits by a public vote - and a sci-fi inspired 'Tron' design won.

Each iteration of the suit will test new technologies that one day will be used in a suit worn by the first humans to step foot on the Red Planet.

With 233,431 votes, the 'Technology' option has won NASA's Z-2 Spacesuit design challenge with just over 63% of the total vote.

Nasa’s Z-2 is the latest prototype in the agency’s Z range of spacesuits, and will be the successor to the its green and white Z-1 model unveiled in 2012.

The Technology suit, the eventual winner, ‘pays homage to spacesuit achievements of the past while incorporating subtle elements of the future’.

The suit was inspired by the glowing suits from the sci-fi hit film series Tron

3D printed for each astronaut, the new suit, called Z-2, will allow astronauts to walk on the Martian surface far more easily.

It is fitted with Luminex wire, and patches that emit light to make it easier to identify crew members during spacewalks, for examples.

These patches are fitted to the upper and lower torso, alongside collapsing pleats that make movement easier.

It also has abrasion resistant panels on the lower torso.

The public was given a choice of three designs.

This design now will be incorporated into the final version of the suit, which is expected to be ready for testing by November 2014.

HOW TO TEST A SPACESUIT Besides the typical fit checks and mobility evaluations, NASA currently is planning a very comprehensive test campaign for the Z-2 suit. Engineers will conduct multiple vacuum chamber tests, including one series at full vacuum, mimicking the lack of atmosphere found in space. The suit will be tested at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, the huge indoor pool used to train astronauts to spacewalk. Further testing at a site at Johnson that imitates the rocky Martian surface will help evaluate the suit's mobility, comfort and performance. Ultimately, all of these tests will guide engineers in designing the Z-3. With the Z-2, NASA will employ cover layer design elements, like electroluminescent wiring, never used before in a spacesuit. Advertisement

The Biomimicry suit was inspired by the ocean and has been designed to mirror ‘the bioluminescent qualities of aquatic creatures found at incredible depths, and the scaly skin of fish and reptiles found across the globe.’

Nasa said the design reflects the qualities that protect some of 'Earth's toughest creatures', and specifically includes segmented pleats at the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee.

It also features electroluminescent wire across the upper torso, which lights up in the dark.

Meanwhile, the Trends in Society suit is ‘reflective of what every day clothes may look like in the not too distant future.’

It uses electroluminescent wire and a bright colour scheme to mimic the look of sportswear and wearable tech.

The design includes pleats with contrast stitching, plus electroluminescent wire and patches of varying styles across both the upper and lower torso.

The Z-2 will be made using 3D printed parts, while 3D human laser scans will be used to accurately size each suit to individual astronauts.

In a blog post, Nasa said: ‘As spacesuit engineers, [we] have found ourselves with an exciting opportunity: the chance to make a suit with a look unlike any suit ever built before.

‘The designs were created with the intent to protect the suit and to highlight certain mobility features to aid suit testing.

‘To take it a step further, we are leaving it up you, the public, to choose which of three candidates will be built.’

Nasa will now put the winning design into production before running it through tests at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston.

Technically, the Z-2 will be built to withstand and absorb impact, especially on the upper and lower torso.

Despite claims it looked like a toy suit, Nasa’s Z-1 suit was named one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2012.

‘After the positive response to the Z-1 suit's visual design we received, we wanted to take the opportunity to provide this new suit with an equally memorable appearance,’ continued Nasa.

‘The cover layer of a prototype suit is important as it serves to protect the suit against abrasion and snags during the rigors of testing.

‘With the Z-2, we're looking forward to employing cover layer design elements never used in a spacesuit before. ‘