The Charlie's angel pose is a computer graphic. The actual Z2 is the one in the first picture and yes it is an actual light. It serves no purpose other than a way to engage the public in the design of the cover layer. It is only for ground testing and is not certified for flight.
I have worked on this since 2008. You might wonder why NASA built two prototypes that are similar? Short answer is that they were built by two different groups, one in-house and the other by Oceaneering under contract to NASA. Although the groups did work collaboratively and shared parts and resources. Oceaneering supplied parts to Z2, and NASA provided expertise to Oceaneering. NASA owns boths suits in the end. Two prototypes are better than one.
Quote from: jscott1 on 02/18/2016 09:02 pmI have worked on this since 2008. You might wonder why NASA built two prototypes that are similar? Short answer is that they were built by two different groups, one in-house and the other by Oceaneering under contract to NASA. Although the groups did work collaboratively and shared parts and resources. Oceaneering supplied parts to Z2, and NASA provided expertise to Oceaneering. NASA owns boths suits in the end. Two prototypes are better than one.Hope this isn't too silly a question. Ever since reading "Have Space Suit, Will Travel", I wonder if NASA plans to incorporate Heinlein's main suggestion in suit design? Namely, include a "rear view mirror". With today's technology, I suppose this would entail including a small camera affixed to the rear of the suit and a monitor of some sort affixed to the inside of the helmet. Additional cameras could be placed in positions for wider field of view.Thanks!
Quote from: Todd Martin on 03/15/2016 02:02 pmQuote from: jscott1 on 02/18/2016 09:02 pmI have worked on this since 2008. You might wonder why NASA built two prototypes that are similar? Short answer is that they were built by two different groups, one in-house and the other by Oceaneering under contract to NASA. Although the groups did work collaboratively and shared parts and resources. Oceaneering supplied parts to Z2, and NASA provided expertise to Oceaneering. NASA owns boths suits in the end. Two prototypes are better than one.Hope this isn't too silly a question. Ever since reading "Have Space Suit, Will Travel", I wonder if NASA plans to incorporate Heinlein's main suggestion in suit design? Namely, include a "rear view mirror". With today's technology, I suppose this would entail including a small camera affixed to the rear of the suit and a monitor of some sort affixed to the inside of the helmet. Additional cameras could be placed in positions for wider field of view.Thanks!Spacesuits already have a mirror that could be used to look behind them if need be, it is attached to the wrist. It is primarily used to check the guages on their chest-mounted suit controls. https://twitter.com/astro_davids/status/571097924647546881*edit*For context, here's the relevant quote from Have Space Suit, Will Travel, the protagonists are being chased across the Moon by some aliens. "Another thing space suits should have is rear-view mirrors. While you are at it, add a window at the chin so that you can see where you step. But of the two, I would take a rear-view mirror. You can't glance behind you; you have to turn your entire body. Every few seconds I wanted to see if they were following us-and I couldn't spare the effort. All that nightmare trek I kept imagining them on my heels, expecting a wormy hand on my shoulder. I listened for footsteps which couldn't be heard in vacuum anyhow. When you buy a space suit, make them equip it with a rear-view mirror. You won't have Wormface on your trail but it's upsetting to have even your best friend sneak up behind you."
But in the future, multiple person EVAs will not only be likely, but almost mandatory. Thus quick and simple visual identification would pretty much be a requirement to simplify both communication as well as identification in potential emergencies.
Quote from: JasonAW3 on 03/15/2016 01:38 pmBut in the future, multiple person EVAs will not only be likely, but almost mandatory. Thus quick and simple visual identification would pretty much be a requirement to simplify both communication as well as identification in potential emergencies.Maybe something like Sashimono flags Japanese Samurai attached to their armour. Besides you need a radio antenna anyway.
Gotta love that Charlie's Angels action pose. But does that glowing logo on the front have any purpose? Is it an actual lamp?
Although it doesn't really serve any particular purpose, the integration of Electroluminescent cloth in different colors and configured in different patterns, would go a LONG ways for quick identification and being able to see personnel at a range either at night or in environments where visual range may be impaired.
Quote from: Hanelyp on 11/21/2015 04:54 pmMechanical counterpressure suites in fact use the wearer's skin as the sealing layer.That sounds like a recipe for some seriously dry skin. I think you are almost but not quite right on that.
Mechanical counterpressure suites in fact use the wearer's skin as the sealing layer.
Quote from: JasonAW3 on 03/15/2016 01:38 pmAlthough it doesn't really serve any particular purpose, the integration of Electroluminescent cloth in different colors and configured in different patterns, would go a LONG ways for quick identification and being able to see personnel at a range either at night or in environments where visual range may be impaired.Larry Niven in his Known Space science-fiction series had members of the Belter culture (asteroid miners) decorate their spacesuits with individual and striking designs for precisely this reason. But notwithstanding the practical advantages, some individuals of a Martian colony are going to want to individualise their spacesuits. It might be good for morale if the suit designers allowed for this possibility in the basic suit design.