DASSAULT and COMEX have developed a “wet” suit prototype, under a one year CNES contract, for the simulation of the Soviet EVA flight suit during underwater trainings.
This concept, full of water and requiring a breathing system, allows to perfectly balance the astronaut in a neutrally buoyant suit like in 0-g environment. The modelling of real pressurized joints has been overcome by means of adjustable mechanical articulations the principle of which is fully described.
The prototype performances and representativity have been evaluated and validated through underwater donning/doffing and the replay of an actual EVA already performed in space by Soviet-French astronauts.
This suit prototype is available today, for the European space system designers to evaluate the future EVA operations to refine the procedures and hardware requirements.
The suit concept capabilities, linked to its high modularity and low development duration, are finally discussed.