Astronauts on Mars will face a challenge: navigating in gravity that's only 37% of Earth's. After months in space, their muscles and bones weaken. Researchers developed a soft exosuit powered by inflatable "bubble muscles."
A typical Mars mission involves about 1,000 days, leading to muscle and bone loss. Astronauts will need to perform demanding tasks, but their bodies will be weakened.
Current methods like exercise provide limited protection. Rigid exoskeletons are heavy. The Bristol team used "Bubble Artificial Muscles" (BAMs), lightweight pneumatic actuators.
Three BAMs assist knee bending during walking. They provide extra force, compensating for weakened muscles. The researchers tested their exosuit using a robotic leg simulating Martian gravity.
The results increased knee-bending angle and leg movement speed. The system proved most effective when providing assistance throughout larger portions of the walking cycle.
This technology has Earth applications, helping people with mobility challenges. This research makes long-duration space missions more feasible.
This technology ensures that when humans walk on Mars, they will have the assistance needed to explore and work effectively. It's a significant step toward making the dream of Martian exploration a reality.