New space suits are being designed by MIT. Described as being reminiscent of Barbarella, they are figure hugging and use “‘mechanical counterpressure’ rather than gas to maintain Earth-like conditions for astronauts”.

Professor Dava Newman is working on ‘BioSuits’ that will give the wear more freedom of movement than current spacesuits. The envisioned use for the suits is planet exploration, on the moon or Mars, where the bulk of current suits tires the wearing more quickly.

But don’t expect to see these suits in use any time soon. Newman anticipates that they will be ready for use in about 10 years, in time for the manned expedition to Mars.

References

1. NASA’s sexy space suit (SunHerald,22 July 2007)
2. A space suit Angelina Jolie could love (tgdaily, 16 Jult 2007)
3. New Skintight Spacesuit Design Unveiled (National Geographic, 17 Jult 2007)
4. One giant leap for space fashion: MIT team designs sleek, skintight spacesuit (MIT news, 16 July 2007)

Ever wondered what would happen if you stuck elements from major space operas into one universe?

Finding this movie on YouTube I see that someone has. And has the skills to create it. Good animation and reasonably scripted scenes.

(YouTube movie on full post page)
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