Brenda Marie Rivers
Collins Aerospace has partnered with special engineering firm ILC Dover to develop a prototype space suit designed to support missions to the moon and other planetary bodies.
The Next Generation Space Suit is based on an open-architecture framework and includes elements intended to handle NASA's operations in partial gravity and microgravity including carbon dioxide removal technology and real-time display platforms, Collins Aerospace said Thursday.
In addition, the space suit also includes information technology systems, avionics, data platforms, motor systems and mobility features for collecting samples from planetary surfaces.
Patty Stoll, division manager for space systems at ILC Dover, said the partnership brings together the firm's suit technology production experience and Collins Aerospace’s expertise in life support systems.
The two companies introduced the prototype at an event hosted by United Technologies Corp. in Washington, D.C.
ILC Dover is a Federica, Del.-based manufacturer and engineer of special items intended for aerospace, personal safety, flood protection and biopharmacy.
