Arquimea Ingenieria, Spain, reports that its engineers have developed a flexible exo-muscular system based on shape memory alloy actuators that assist astronauts in microgravity. Three different SMA actuators have been developed. Two help astronauts exercise to mitigate some of the problems of microgravity. A third actuator is designed to assist astronauts during extra-vehicular activities.
The Ankle Lateral Actuating System (ALAS) is suggested for exercising the muscular groups involved in the inversion and eversion of the ankle. Smart Elastic Bands System (SEBS) is proposed as exercising devices that exert resistive loads to the flexion and extension of the knees, thus training both the quadriceps and the hamstrings. A third actuator, the Hand Exo-Muscular System (HEMS), is designed to assist astronauts during extra-vehicular activities. The device is intended to reduce hand fatigue when performing manual tasks during extra-vehicular activities.
A description of the actuators, their different design strategies, and the results of the validation test campaign will be presented at SMST 2015, in a paper titled “Exo-Muscular Systems Based On SMA For Space Suits,” Mr. Marcelo Collado, Arquimea Ingeniería, SL; Mr. Cayetano Rivera,Arquimea Ingeniería, SL; Mrs. Naiara Escudero, Arquimea Ingeniería, SL;Mr. Alvaro Villoslada, Carlos III University of Madrid; Dr. Fernando Martín,Carlos III University of Madrid; Dr. Luis Moreno, Carlos III University of Madrid.
