AHSL Reseach Focus Areas
Microgravity and Partial g Fluid Physics
Spacelab Life Sciences (SLS-1) Low-Gravity Centrifuge. Photo Credit: NASA.
Fluid systems play a large role in life support, environmental controls, and thermal control systems. AHSL seeks to analyze the effect of gravity level and centrifugal effects on the orifice nucleation, growth, detachment, and movement of nitrogen bubbles in water and silicone oil. Understanding bubble nucleation, growth, and detachment, specifically in microgravity and partial gravity, is a critical component of designing more efficient and lighter two-phase flow thermal management systems.
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Spacesuit System Design
Apollo 17 EVA. Photo Credit: NASA.
AHSL is working on developing the next generation of spacesuits, including the Liquid Cooling Ventilation Garment and the Extravehicular Activity suit. A focus in the lab includes the anthropometric aspects of the suit, determining human dimensions that directly affect the fit and function of the space suit. Using tools such as 3D scanners, we are able to create custom spacesuits to individual wearers.
Space Systems Engineering
Astronaut Andrew Feustel Reenters the Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA.
Human Systems Integration looks at how systems are designed in relation to humans and their environment. It can include hardware, software, processes, human roles, and safety optimization. With regards to space, human systems integration is essential to the safety of an astronaut; everything from the International Space Station (ISS) to the Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) suit is made to help astronauts safely survive in outer space. The Aerospace Human Systems Laboratory investigates a variety of space systems such as the EVA suit and the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG).