Invention:
Impactra is a protective system designed to enhance astronaut safety in space by shielding them from ionizing radiation and potential impacts from micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD). It incorporates high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or similar hydrogen-rich materials into spacesuit exteriors or internal layers, providing a lightweight yet effective armor-like barrier. This technology functions as an advanced protective shell, reinforcing existing spacesuits without significantly increasing weight or restricting mobility. This approach improves astronaut safety in deep space missions by providing passive, lightweight protection without compromising mobility.
Background:
Astronauts operating in space are continuously exposed to harmful ionizing radiation and high-velocity micrometeoroids, which pose significant risks to their health and safety. Current solutions provide partial radiation shielding but do not offer comprehensive protection against both radiation and physical impacts. Spacesuits currently in use rely on multiple fabric layers for impact resistance, but these materials do not provide optimal radiation shielding. Impactra improves upon existing technologies by integrating a structured protective system that enhances both impact resistance and radiation shielding, ensuring better astronaut safety on missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Applications:
- Space exploration
- Spacesuit enhancement
- Astronaut safety
- Radiation protection
- Military aerospace operations
Advantages:
- Provides both radiation and impact protection in a single system
- Uses lightweight materials, minimizing additional burden on astronauts
- Compatible with existing spacesuit designs
- More durable than traditional spacesuit fabric layers
