SpaceX has already done a lot to establish itself in the commercial space sector. Over the past few years, it has become a number one launch provider of choice for many commercial launches. Musk’s company also became the first commercial company to perform a resupply mission to the International Space Station with its commercial space craft the Dragon capsule in mid-2012. SpaceX also pushed the boundaries of what many thought was possible when successfully landing the first stage of a rocket in late 2016.
However, it is well known that Musk's ambition stretches far beyond earning profits on launch capabilities. Instead, his goals are to help enable humankind to one day settle Mars and expand further into space. That, however, requires a lot more than just a new and more cost efficient mode of transport. Today's unveiling of a SpaceX-made space suit goes to show that Musk intends for his company to do a whole lot more.
Elon Musk shares the first picture of the new SpaceX space suit on Instagram
source
Settling Mars will require innovation in nearly every STEM discipline. Especially in the health sciences. Getting a human to the red planet once is actually feasible already. Sustaining life, however, is an entirely different task, as anyone who has seen the Martian would know. The harsh environment poses many new threats not experienced either on the moon or whilst performing tasks outside the International Space Station. This, in turn, will require new thoughts on how we design life support systems for future missions to the red planet.
Designing a space suit is no simple task. There are many variables that have to be balanced and many concerns that need to be taken. These are also very different depending on where in the solar system you intend to go. The space suits you are used to seeing from images taken of Apollo-astronauts on the Moon or of astronauts performing EVAs (Extravehicular Activity) usually weigh more than a hundred kilos with the oxygen tank. Now, this is no problem while in microgravity or on the surface of the Moon where the gravity is about 16.5% that of Earth, resulting in an effective weight of less than 20 kilos. On Mars, however, gravity is about 38% that of earth, which more than doubles the effective weight relative to the Moon. For an astronaut to be able to function properly, and not be worn down by the weight, a space suit meant for Mars will have to be a whole lot lighter.
Buzz Aldrin on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission
image credit NASA
But reducing weight has its own trade offs. The space suit needs to provide protection against radiation and harsh weather conditions. It also needs to keep the astronauts warm on a planet whose temperatures can drop below 120 degrees celsius. Solving the issues of vacuum with a tight-sitting suit is also a whole new challenge that would deserve a post of its own.
Anyways, it is great to see new innovations coming out of the private sector that, in whatever way, are helping push the space frontiers. I wish SpaceX the very best of luck, and I am excited to see what further developments they can bring to the sector!
Although all the credits so far, regarding the exploration of space, belong to the the various national space agencies with NASA being prevalent among them, the private initiative that takes place these last few years seems to flourish. People like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos who were frowned upon when they begun their long term plans, now they are celebrated and they surely deserve it. Lets hope more people with vision and funds to invest come forth and join the crusade to uncover the mysteries of space!
More people are joining the party too. Out of the world's 500 richest, 13 are heavily invested in space companies now. Will do a post on that hopefully later this week. But exciting things are happening :)
They're so crazy to try and go to space. They will spend so much money to do it too. Elon's goal is to "save humanity." -I think he'll do it.
I always check Mask's innovation - I guess this guy is like being a pioneer in lot's of things but it hard do not value what he already achieved and the plans he builds. And as you said it is in a commercial sector not governmental. I guess challenges they will face when preparing for a walk on Mars will also change our daily life which I see as a great thing. We have been in astronomy centre in Spain last year and I got to know that a lot of things I use in daily life (like automating tooth brush, an iron) is originated from the research scientist did for space exploration. So I look forward to Elon Mask's new plans! and thank you for sharing such a great article with us.
Thank you for reading the article and contributing with such a fruitful comment.
Yep, space helps push the boundaries of what is possible, both technologically and scientifically, where the knowledge can be reapplied elsewhere in society. Helping foster such innovation is also my job :p
And you do a very great job!! I like reading your posts! and I really like the phrase you wrote as responce%)) inspired me to create a small art piece%) world copyrights, of course, is yours @fredrikaa%)) The very best to you and hope you will never do the same mistake with account passwords so we keep enjoying innovations through your posts%))
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Awesome post! Just the other day i browsed through the nasa site and was surprised at the info i found and what they have been doing. Quite interesting!
I was watching this on Twitter and thought: "Is the guy in the space suit Ben Affleck?"
Hahaha, well I'm sure they'll make the movie eventually ;)
Elon Musk always surprises us with his great vision and technology. The days are not very far away we will be able to fly to the Mars or Moon like the astraunauts.
I expect going to space one day. Not sure if I'll be able to go to the Moon or Mars, but at least experiencing space :)
yes soon it will become possible for common folks to enjoy it. Till you wait to land on moon or mars, there is an amazing journey I have planned for you. You can land on my blogs and check some of the cool art and 3d posts I post regularly. You will be amazed by them and love it.
Elon Musk is like Iron Man. All his inventions are mind-blowing; PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX rockets. I'm curious to see what his next project is gonna be. He's helping a lot of people with his inventions. Salute!
Totally agree! He really is a role model to me :) if not in the way he treats his employees then at least in his vision, determination, philosophy and work ethic!
He's also my role model! He is like, the bomb!!! Whenever I see some news about him, I'd go crazy and immediately unfold the newspaper to the point where I almost tear it off coz I'm too excited to read the news about him. Yeah I'm old school, I still read the newspaper instead of browsing online lol!
You have a wonderful week ahead mate! Cheers! :-)
Musk's suit also looks way more sci-fi, IMO. That's either intentional, I guess, or it is the price to pay to be lighter ;)
He's obsessed with things looking good though. From the interiors of the Dragon capsule to his cars, as well as the designs for the highly anticipated interplanetary transport system.
I like that he's taking that part serious though. It's a bit sad that what we see in space looks more or less the same as in the 60s. Where else in technology would we say that?
In particle physics, the technology we are using today is only 20-25 years old... Already better. However, some of our labs are from the 60ies too :/
Looks like Elon bought that from Toys r Us!
Looks awesome, take my money!
It will be awesome to see what's in store for the future. There are many challanges but I hope they will figure a way to get trough these challanges.
Am I the only one who is 100% okay upvoting JUST a link to a tweet? I don't think we should force people to make up an article around every tweet that gets posted.
Thank you for your feedback. I try to make this blog more than just a place to share space-related news. Twitter and other platforms are already great for that. I try to use steemit to add my own commentary, and also add some clarifications and further information as someone working in the space sector to what's going on. Perhaps the title should add something like "Why it makes sense for SpaceX to design and build their own space suits" or something that shows it is a bit more content than just the news :)
I think you're right though that the STEEM blockchain could do well to adopt a user interface that allows for both content sharing and content creation.
Again thank you for the comment!
looks really awesome...
upvoted..!!!
Looks great! Definitely got the inspiration from Kubrick's ''2001: a space odyssey'' :)
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STOPAm I the only one here who likes the old bulky ones better? 😠😠😠😠😠
I think they have a charm too%) but as @fredrikaa stated in the article - it is all about the functions they must have. I guess the bulky ones I too bulky for Mars %))
so let's make them bulky and functional XD