Biomimetics: The Key to Better Space Suits

By Adithya Bharath

Abstract

Current space suits are expensive, bulky, and hard to maintain. Space exploration will significantly benefit from advancements in space suit technology that allow for increased safety and mobility. Using biomimetics, implementing bio-inspired adaptations of flora and fauna into technology emphasizes the possibility of enhancing our modern-day space suits and revolutionizing the exploration of outer space. Here, we review the current challenges of space suits to form a baseline and better understand the limitations of space suits. The investigation underscored four significant concerns in space suit technology for space exploration: radiation, thermoregulation, debris protection, and maneuverability. The research showed that biomimetics can be a powerful resource to model the next generation of space suits, resolving problems around radiation, thermoregulation, debris protection, and maneuverability. The research shows various flora and fauna with these characteristics and demonstrates potential for practical application. In conclusion, the research findings highlight the benefits of biomimetics in modern space suits.