First Field Test of Aouda.X

During July, 1st to July, 3rd Austrian Space Forum tested a prototype model of spacesuit AOUDA in Kramsach/Tyrol for the first time.

U. Luger tested Aouda.

The suit - weighing 45 kg - simulates all constraints of a real spacesuit and uses a high tech human to machine interface which is able to adopt some tasks normally covered by a mission control center. Three years from now the prototype will be used during a simulated mars expedition in the arctic.

"During this first field tests we want to study the behaviour of AOUDA's mechanics like its ability to safely move in a martian like environment, to operate equipment and send a continuous data stream to the control center." said chief project leader Gernot Groemer (Austrian Space Forum) and explained further: "There are just four groups working seriously in developing a spacesuit for Mars worldwide, three of them operating in the USA."

The suit - weighing 45 kg - simulates all constraints of a real spacesuit and uses a high tech human to machine interface which is able to adopt some tasks normally covered by a mission control center. Three years from now the prototype will be used during a simulated mars expedition in the arctic. "During this first field tests we want to study the behaviour of AOUDA's mechanics like its ability to safely move in a martian like environment, to operate equipment and send a continuous data stream to the control center." said chief project leader Gernot Groemer (Austrian Space Forum) and explained further: "There are just four groups working seriously in developing a spacesuit for Mars worldwide, three of them operating in the USA." "The tests proved to be physically exhausting while demanding full commitment. 20 to 40 of AOUDA's developers monitored the tests in Kramsach, from experts for textiles of the Ferrarischool and technicians from HTL Fulpmes to specialists for electronics from the Austrian Space Forum . Each of them was essential to maintain the local infrastructure." told Ulrich Luger, the first wearer of the suit, "Essentially AOUDA is a 45 kg heavy wearable space craft and at the same time a portable computer and a biological barrier."

Parts of the suit were developed in cooperation with the engineers of the Austrian Space Forum and four tyrolean schools: HTL Anichstrasse (located in Innsbruck), BRG Imst, HTL Fulpmes and HBLA for textile techniques (Ferrarischool, Innsbruck).