Applying Model-Based Requirement Patterns Library Concept to Astronaut Space Suit System for Deep-Space Travel and Mars Surface Exploration Missions

Abstract

Risk of extinction and survival has always pushed humans to develop new technologies, starting from the innovation of a wheel up to producing advanced materials and alternative energy sources. Becoming a multiplanetary species reduces the risk of extinction from home grown and external threats like nuclear wars, effects from extreme temperature changes, and asteroid impact. Going to Mars is beyond current medical, technological, and economical challenges. A trip to Mars requires over 140 million miles deep-space travel in harsh space environment with no assistance readily available. Similarly, landing, exploring, and returning from Martian surface exposes numerous challenges with extreme uncertainties. Astronauts Space Suit System plays a vital role in all these missions. This paper proposes an analysis of a space suit system that would be suitable for long duration space travel, Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) and surface exploration missions. When designing suits for deep-space space travel and Extravehicular Activity (EVA) on the surface of Mars, it is important to start with the top-level systems requirements, such as life support, mobility, microgravity, human factors, ergonomics, and protection from environmental hazards. To better understand this human systems integration, the designers can utilize Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) with Model-Based Pattern Library (MBPL) concept to specify the necessary requirements for the suits. In this approach, the original requirements are decomposed and translated into Object-Oriented Models (OOMs) that are generated using System Modelling Language (SysML). This paper also demonstrates a unique systems-of-systems approach that combines human health and physiology, system requirement analysis for human factors and ergonomics using MBSE and pattern libraries. Once built, the pattern libraries can be used to develop the various logical architectures for the space suits with mission and program specific requirements.

Keywords: Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), Extravehicular Activity (EVA), Model-Based Pattern Library (MBPL)

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006389