Researchers developing a new space suit to keep astronauts happy during strenuous space works

Scientists are now developing a new version of the spacesuit for astronauts traveling to space. They have named the spacesuit the ‘Happy Suit’ whose aim is to provide mental wellness to astronauts working space. Most of the time, it has been found out that the astronauts aboard International Space Station (ISS) experience mental distress owing to the unique set of challenges and dangers they face while doing their work. So, a group of scientists and students at the Florida Polytechnic University are trying to make a spacesuit that will keep the astronauts happy and their mind cool while they perform their duty in space.

The technology that the scientists are currently working upon is called Smart Sensory Skin which would be fitted into the next generation of spacesuits and space clothing so as to boost psychological well-being and maximize comfort and efficiency of the astronauts. Smart Sensory Skin will use wireless sensors to monitor an astronaut’s environment. It will detect a range of physical deficiencies experienced by the astronauts and accordingly it will change the temperature, light levels, light color, and oxygen levels to make the astronaut’s environment more soothing and pleasant. The Smart Sensory Skin will provide the ideal physical and mental conditions to astronauts to help them do their work in a stress-free manner.

Arman Sargolzaei, a professor of Electrical Engineering at Florida Polytechnic said, “It’s vital for astronauts to be mentally healthy during missions and right now there’s no active, real-time solution to help them when they feel stressed or anxious. He further said that the latest Smart Sensory Skin technology would provide immediate relief to the astronaut’s state of mind.

According to Sargolzaei, the well being of astronauts can be negatively affected by many factors like lack of sleep, strain from the effects of low-gravity excessive exposure to light, insufficient exercise and mostly the fear of making mistakes in a high-pressure environment where a small error can be dangerous. So, creating this happy suit will do wonders for the astronauts as it will automatically adjust the astronomer’s environment according to the stress level. When the system gets fully developed, it will enable physicians on Earth to monitor the blood pressure, pulse and other bodily functions of the astronauts working in space.