Satellite Handling Loads on the Shuttle Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Spacesuit: An Examination of the Loads Imparted to the Suit as a Result of Handling Massive Objects in EVA

In the course of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) throughout the Shuttle program, crewmembers have been required to handle moving objects. Future Shuttle missions, such as the Hubble Space Telescope repair and Space Station Freedom assembly missions, will require manipulation of objects much larger than the crewmember. This activity imparts loads into the crewmember, his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), and the foot restraint. Historically, the space suit restraint manload requirements have been based solely on the loads that an astronaut could impart using isometric strength. Manned testing was performed at the Johnson Space Center to determine the maximum loads that could be imparted on the EMU as a result of handling large objects. This paper is an overview of the testing performed to define maximum loads on the EMU as a result of handling massive objects. Test results and the impact on EMU design are reviewed. The effect of suit arm span sizing on maximum loading is examined.