Abstract#

Space analog simulations are essential for understanding and preparing for conditions, restrictions and requirements that we need to consider for living and working on the Moon or on Mars. They let us test technology and procedures for future space missions, explore difficulties and new ideas. Analog space suits help investigate materials, components as well as structural and operational architecture that makes a suit function in the space environment and replicate the technological and physical demands for moving and working on lunar or planetary surfaces.

The OeWF (Austrian Space Forum) has been developing space suits to simulate extravehicular activity (EVA) suits for analog Mars and Lunar missions since 2008. While high-fidelity AOUDA suits are the flagship of our analog research, they are very expensive and require specialized training and certification for use. Our medium-fidelity Delta suits, based on the open-source BORP suit model by Paul Bakken, are used for training internal research simulations and for school and university-level STEAM education, media and outreach campaigns. They are also being lent to smaller grassroots groups for their analog and education projects.

Our proposal is to gain funding to create two further Delta space suits at a higher research grade, which will bring increased realism to simulations, bridging the gap between expensive, high specialization analog suits and the very basic BORP model with limited realism. The upgraded suits will include realistic higher weight loads, bulky backpacks modeled upon the portable life-support system (PLSS) of the lunar Apollo missions, upgraded radio communication systems, and an environmental sensor array to provide real-time data environmental and life support monitoring during a mission. Realistic suits for analog experiments will help gather more precise relevant data about human factors and ergonomics for space suit development, technological needs, and guide scientific experiment design for Moon and Mars exploration, while at the same time being more affordable and accessible than expensive high-fidelity models.

Problem#

During previous tests and analog mission uses, the current Delta Suits based on the BORP model have been found to be overall comfortable but not realistic enough. Common feedback notes included the lack of weight, bulkiness and restrictions that actual suits would present. Other issues have been wiring and structural stability of components for communications and suit (data) interfaces. The current suits also do not include environmental and life support monitoring, which is essential for realistic suit design, human performance and safety monitoring.

If this is hardware / a product (required):

1. Operational: Below-optimal realistic performance of suits and helmets, previous feedback comments have noted improvement suggestions for alignment and locking of connectors, structural stability and quality of 3D-printed components, comfort and adjustability of structural suit components

2. COTS availability: Environmental monitoring sensory array units are not currently commercially available for analog settings. Realistic EVA suits are also not commercially available beyond costume level and are manufactured based on specific research aims and projected use.

3. Novelties: Improved realism for weight and movement restrictions based on flown suit designs and requirements, real-time environmental and life support monitoring availability, improved wearability and ergonomics.

Solution#

Two new Delta analog space suits shall be produced, which will include the basic suits, large backpack units, radio communication, and environmental monitoring systems. Funding will support material costs and equipment acquisition for two suits and backups for helmet and suit-components, as well as storage and shipping containers for transporting the suits.

Novelty & Prior Art#

What already exists?

The current Delta Suits are soft fabric suits based on an open-source BORP-suit by Paul Bakken, with 3D-printed helmet frames, connectors, and stiffeners. Suits include ventilation, a basic communication system and lights attached to the helmet. A small backpack holds the power supply and serves as stand-in for the PLSS.

What is new about this project?

The current suits are very basic and do not realistically simulate a real suit's weight and restriction of the astronaut's movement, including the large backpack structure that in real EVA suits contain essential components of the astronaut's life support system. The upgrade will add these components, improved communication systems, and will also include the integration of an environmental and life support monitoring array based on an open-source SIMOC model.

Novelties: Environmental monitoring array based on the SIMOC Live concept

Why not just use the existing work?

The high-fidelity AOUDA suits cannot be used by the public, requiring specialized training and certification. The current Delta suits are limited in regards to the realistic experience and therefore valuable research outcomes. The upgraded suits aim to provide a more realistic astronaut experience and more realistic limitations that will pave the way for further technological advances and considerations, while still keeping low cost and accessibility without requiring specialized training.

Honesty check

MoonDAO's contribution will help us upgrade the current level of analog research done by our organization and other small organizations borrowing these suits for their projects, including school and university education projects. This will benefit a more realistic and space-comparable technology and astronaut experience, performance, and human factors and ergonomic limitations during active use. It will also help progress research into further necessary requirements and materials for the next generation of EVA suits that keep lunar settlers and Martian explorers alive. Lastly, it will encourage the next generation of young researchers to understand and solve the problems and limitations of current technologies, in order to create safe and reliable protective equipment for future space settlers and explorers.

Lunar Bridge#

A sustained human presence on the Moon requires technologies that allow humans to stay safe and be mobile on the Lunar surface. A moon settlement will not just involve exploration of the environment, but also living in and moving through it. EVA suits protect the wearer from the harsh conditions of the Moon's environment, provide breathable air, pressure control, cooling and heating, and the ability to communicate with others. Researching new materials and testing new technologies is essential, in order to make suits safer, lighter, sturdier, more efficient, less restrictive and more user friendly. Sharing access to medium-fidelity analog suits for research and education also helps younger students and smaller research facilities to develop future interest and opportunities for Lunar exploration and settlement.

Community Standing#

The OeWF has not previously engaged in projects with MoonDAO, but participates in the kind of research and development that will also help progress DAO's moon project. Analog research is one of the key factors for the success and planning of space missions and especially long-term settlement. It can simulate the very different requirements that a long-term settlement has compared to a short exploration mission over just a few days. Our organization provided the Worlds Biggest Analog Mission Coordination Center in Vienna and is engaged with the Community of Human Analogue Space Missions (CHASM).

Benefits#

No revenues are expected from this project and the proposed upgrades. Core benefits will be for the overall MoonDAO mission, as realistic analog space suits will allow the development of more precise and more efficient future suit technologies that eventually will be realized for Moon and Mars exploration and settlements. Simulations of work and EVA activity in realistic equipment will help pinpoint open questions and concerns for real-life suit use, including donning and doffing times, assistance required, movement limitations, etc. Our upgraded suits can also be lent to other teams and missions who do not have their own. Our current models have been used in the Asclepios mission and as LunAres Backup suits. This serves to strengthen the robustness of analog mission communities and benefit the space community as a whole.

Risks#

Risk: Schedule/technical - Limited availability of components, delivery of materials and components delayed

Mitigation: Ordering all materials and components at the earliest opportunity, choosing options with faster delivery where necessary

Risk: Technical - Failure of manufacturing equipment

Mitigation: Testing of all equipment prior to start of manufacturing

Risk: Technical - Integration of electronic components

Mitigation: Testing and reiteration of component integration

Risk: Schedule/scope - underestimate required time for manufacturing

Mitigation: Specific scheduling within milestones with regular reviews and updates.

Objectives#

Objective #1: Develop two (2) research grade analog space EVA suits with helmets and accessories, evolved from the current Delta suit model

Key Results for Objective #1:

1. Two (2) suits and helmets will be constructed and assembled.

2. One (1) backup helmet will be constructed

3. Each suit will have a PLSS-size weight-adjustable backpack component

4. Each suit will be equipped with a functioning Environmental monitoring array for environmental and life-support monitoring.

5. A summary of user feedback regarding performance and realism of the suits shall be published.

Member(s) responsible for OKR and their role:

• Bianca Steffen (project lead, manufacturing lead) - OKR 1-3, 5

• Florian Gruber (electronics integration, software engineering lead) - OKR 1 & 4

Non-goals this quarter:

• No company/entity formation
• No foundational PC or home office equipment

Team (Table A)#

| Project Lead | Bianca Steffen (Discord: @green_armadillo25) |

| :---- | :---- |

| Initial Team |

Project Lead: Bianca Steffen (@green_armadillo25): eth:0x7bCE21A6418629941B709b98F0E941BFA2300FB5 Roles: Overall project coordination, manufacturing lead

Electronics Lead: Florian Gruber (@perkeo): eth:0x2000E34633c461802EF30d0E15716172A5Ee7867 Roles: Electronics integration, environmental array engineering

Supervisor: Gernot Groemer

| Same-type prior work links | Current Delta Suits with Explore Project https://oewf.org/en/explore-project/ High-fidelity special-certification AOUDA Suits https://oewf.org/en/amadee-program/spacesuit-simulator/ |

| Multi-sig signers |

Intellectual Property#

Retained / patented: The company keeps the suits/helmets and accessories, also retains the technical details of the used components. Please note that the base concepts both for the suit construction (BORP suit) as well as the SIMOC Live concept are all open source and only the specific adjusted details are retained as IP. Suits will be available for borrowing for public educational purposes and small grassroots projects in Austria, Switzerland, Southern Germany and Northern Italy. As logistics allow, borrowing shall be available in a larger geographic area in the future. MoonDAO will receive a final report and demonstration documentation.

All analog research results by the Austrian Space Forum are generally publicly available and can help inform habitat and mission planning.

Timeline (Table B)#

| Days after Proposal Passes | Description |

| :---- | :---- |

| 0 | Proposal Passes |

| 7 | Materials ordered, Production begins |

| 30 | 3D printed components complete, electronic components testing and assembly |

| 60 | Base suits complete, wiring and assembly begins; Testing and reiteration begins |

| 90 | Report, Town Hall presentation, Returning of unused funds |

Deadline for the project: 90 days from proposal passing

Budget (Table C)#

What MoonDAO funds: labor for inspectable deliverables, and specialized equipment/services the work uniquely needs (with ownership/access terms).

What MoonDAO does not fund: general computers/monitors/printers/furniture; LLC/sole-prop formation; re-registration, or private company runway bailouts.

| Description | Class (A–E) | Amount (USD) | Justification |

| :---- | :---- | :---- | :---- |

| Labor — manufacture, testing, report | A | $500 | 25 Hours × 20$/hr; for KRs 1-4 |

| Base suits x2| B | $400 | Includes suits, chest harness, gloves, boots, backpacks, small accessories, consumables for sewing equipment; ownership retained |

| Environmental monitoring array x2 | B | $300 | Raspberry Pi, sensors; ownership retained |

| Communication system | B | $200 | Includes headsets, radio system, switches, wiring; ownership retained |

| Helmets and suit connectors | B | $500 | Base materials, 3D printing materials, paint and adhesives; ownership retained|

| Power, ventilation, lights | B | $200 | Components, switches, wiring; ownership retained |

| Total | | $2,100 | |

Transactions (Table D)#

| Transaction Type | Amount | Token Type | Receiving Address |

| :---- | :---- | :---- | :---- |

| Send | $2,100 | USDC | TBD |

Pre-submit checklist#

• Ask ≤ posted quarterly max ($2,125)

• All required sections completed; italicized instructions removed

• Key Results are non-empty and testable

• Budget justified and within allowed categories

• Team, timeline, and IP disclosure filled in

• Only one primary proposal from this Lead this quarter

• [N/A] Supporting docs attached if the plan depends on partners

• Scope limited to this quarter's inspectable deliverables