{"id":10423,"date":"2022-03-01T22:11:29","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T22:11:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1381599"},"modified":"2022-03-01T22:11:29","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T22:11:29","slug":"nasas-new-idea-for-gender-equity-a-body-scanner-that-creates-custom-spacesuits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=10423","title":{"rendered":"NASA\u2019s new idea for gender equity: a body scanner that creates custom spacesuits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In March 2019, <\/span>NASA<\/span><\/a> had to postpone the first all-female spacewalk due to an unexpected snag: a shortage of medium-sized spacesuits.<\/span><\/p>\n

The milestone was pushed back after astronaut Anne McClain realized she needed a smaller configuration than originally planned.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the spacesuit had swappable parts, replacing the necessary piece could have taken up to 12 hours. On McClain\u2019s<\/span> recommendation<\/span><\/a>, NASA switched the spacewalkers to avoid delaying the mission.<\/span><\/p>\n

The move was rational, but it put the spotlight on the uniformity of spacesuits. McClain\u2019s outfit was an upgraded version of kit developed in the 1970s, when most astronauts were larger men. <\/span><\/p>\n

The range of sizes remains limited today because of budgetary constraints. This creates another barrier for female astronauts, who comprise only <\/span>11% of the people<\/span><\/a> who have made it into <\/span>space<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, a good fit on Earth may not be so good in space, as microgravity can make you taller.<\/span><\/p>\n

NASA is <\/span>currently developing spacesuits<\/span><\/a> for a wider range of body sizes. But the agency is also investigating a more experimental system for finding the perfect fit: <\/span>a body scanner that manufactures custom spacesuits.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"NASA
<\/i><\/a>The proposal harnesses a digital thread<\/a> framework. Credit: Bonnie Dunbar<\/figcaption>