Scientists at Cornell University have developed a spacesuit capable of recycling astronauts’ urine into drinkable water during spacewalks. Inspired by Frank Herbert’s iconic 1965 novel “Dune,” the researchers aimed to improve upon the uncomfortable and infection-prone multilayered diaper currently used by astronauts. This innovative stillsuit promises enhanced comfort and hydration, potentially enabling longer spacewalks on future lunar missions.
In Frank Herbert’s renowned novel and Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimed film adaptations featuring Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya, the Fremen, Indigenous inhabitants of the desert planet Arrakis—also known as Dune—still wear suits. These suits are vital for recycling body moisture in the planet’s water-scarce environment, enabling survival during perilous desert crossings.
Sofia Etlin, a space medicine researcher at Cornell involved in the suit’s development, expressed her long-standing admiration for the Dune series. Designing a real-life stillsuit has been a cherished ambition for her. Now, alongside her team, she aims to make these suits operational for NASA’s lunar missions by the decade’s end.
The suit’s groundbreaking details were published in the journal Frontiers in Space Technologies on July 12. This innovation represents a significant step forward in space exploration, promising enhanced sustainability and comfort for astronauts undertaking extended missions beyond Earth.
Frequently Asked Question
What is a stillsuit in Dune?
In Frank Herbert’s Dune series, stillsuits are specialized garments worn by the Fremen, inhabitants of the desert planet Arrakis. They recycle the wearer’s body moisture, which is crucial for survival in the planet’s arid environment.
Who designed the real-life stillsuit?
The real-life stillsuit was co-designed by Sofia Etlin, a space medicine researcher at Cornell University, inspired by the concept from the Dune series.
How does the real-life stillsuit work?
The real-life stillsuit, inspired by the fictional concept in Dune, recycles astronauts’ urine into drinkable water during spacewalks, enhancing comfort and sustainability during extended missions.
When will the real-life stillsuits be used in NASA missions?
The researchers aim to have the real-life stillsuits ready for use in NASA’s lunar missions by the end of this decade.
Where was information about the real-life stillsuit published?
Details about the real-life still suit were first published in the journal Frontiers in Space Technologies on July 12. The article highlighted its innovative design and potential impact on space exploration.
Conclusion
The development of real-life still suits inspired by Frank Herbert’s Dune series marks a significant advancement in space technology. Designed by Sofia Etlin and her team at Cornell University, these suits aim to recycle astronauts’ moisture, mirroring the functionality of fictional still suits worn by the Fremen on the desert planet Arrakis. With plans to deploy them in NASA’s lunar missions by the end of this decade, this innovation promises to enhance sustainability and comfort for astronauts during extended spacewalks and missions beyond Earth.
