NASA Collaborative Research Project
Engineering Flexibility: Pleated Solutions for Spacesuit Mobility 2025
Collaborative design by Rose Lee and Alberta Liu
This project was developed as part of a NASA collaborative studio course (APPAR 3061) in the RISD Apparel Design department. Using CLO3D and immersive VR tools such as Oculus Quest 3, the project investigated limitations of current NASA spacesuits and translated research findings into physical prototypes addressing mobility and flexibility.
Designed and rendered in CLO3D. Used polyester tech fabric.
Design Principles
– Studying the human muscular system to create pleats that respond to contraction and expansion
– Drawing inspiration from origami engineering and athleisure closures to enable adaptable sizing and flexibility
Research Context
Current NASA IVA flight suits are efficient but limited in joint mobility under pressurization, requiring significant physical effort to move. This project focuses on redesigning articulation zones such as elbows, knees, and shoulders, using pleated systems that allow movement to occur more naturally.
Final Outcome
A full-scale IVA flight suit prototype featuring pleated articulation zones designed to enhance mobility while maintaining structural integrity under pressure.
Bibliography
Siceloff, Steven. "New Spacesuit Unveiled for Starliner Astronauts." NASA, 25 Jan. 2017, nasa.gov/humans-in-space/new-spacesuit-unveiled-for-starliner-astronauts/.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. "11.0 Spacesuits - Volume 2"NASA-STD-3001-Vol-2, NASA, 29 May 2025, www.nasa.gov/reference/11-0-spacesuits-vol-2.
Beckmann, Sarah. "Dava Newman Presents 3D Knit BioSuit™ at 2022 MARS Conference." MITMedia Lab, 30 Mar. 2022,media.mit.edu/posts/dava-newman-presents-3d-knit-biosuit-at-mars-conference/.