6.-8. November 2009

Since the prototype of the Aouda spacesuit simulator had been tested several times in the last few weeks, many ideas for optimization have arisen – hence, the suit team met from 6th to 8th of November in Katsdorf (Upper Austria) to further the evolution of the prototype and to come up with new ideas.

The goal of this workshop was to determine the further course of action considering the On-Board Data Handling, including e.g. displays, communication protocols and temperature sensors; the process of applying microspherules onto the suits surface and of cleaning the contaminated areas. “In order to increase the suits ergonomic , our team came to the conclusion that consulting an ergo-therapist could provide answers to this issue.”, Vanessa Fillafer from the contamination science team explained.

Preceding tests have been reviewed and analyized and dates for several upcoming integration workshops and another test on a glacier in next year’s spring time have been set. Also the team tried to find a storage and maintenance facility to host the suit equipment and to think of better ways of transportation to the testing areas.

We also had the chance to take a first look at the brand-new ÖWF overalls that were sponsored by Fair Rescue. "The design is absolutely fabulous”, Gernot Groemer, the Aouda project manager, commented on the new working gear. This workshop again was very informative, productive and of course entertaining and the team would like to thank Eva and Stefan Hauth for hosting the event.