Overview
The current state-of-the-art space suit, the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), was developed for short-duration missions in low earth orbit, in which material disposal (lack of recycling), short spacewalk length, frequent maintenance, and dependence on space stations was acceptable. With interplanetary colonization—specifically of Mars—on the horizon, life support systems must be approached from a new perspective. Future interplanetary colonization missions, where functioning bases will need to be built to establish colonies, will require longer time spans spent outside of vehicles, with minimal contact with vehicles and greater mobility. Several life support measures currently implemented in the EMU to allow astronauts to survive comfortably outside of space stations would have to be improved upon to facilitate interplanetary colonization. Most importantly, no system currently recycles the water produced by the astronaut's body through sweat, urine, and feces. The primary focus and scope of this sub-team will be the creation of a Water Filtration Loop in the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) and Primary Life Support Systems (PLSS) that would absorb the body's water through waste, filter it, and return it as potable water for the astronaut to drink.
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