NASA Engineers Weigh Trade-Offs in Designing Boots for Moon Missions
With plans to explore the lunar surface for extended periods of time and potentially establish a permanent base on the moon, NASA engineers are faced with the challenge of designing boots that provide warmth without adding unnecessary weight.
One option the engineers considered was incorporating “active heating” elements into the boots to offer additional warmth. However, this solution presents a trade-off, according to NASA engineer Fester. “If you are actively heating, you need to draw power from somewhere,” Fester explains. This would require the use of batteries and cabling, ultimately adding weight to the boots and increasing the overall load carried by astronauts.
Even small amounts of extra bulk in the boots could significantly reduce astronauts’ mobility and efficiency on the lunar surface. As a result, engineers must ensure that the fit of the boots is as close to perfect as possible. Additionally, they face a new challenge that their counterparts in the Apollo missions did not – accommodating the range of body sizes of astronauts. The upcoming Artemis mission will mark the first time a woman sets foot on the moon, requiring a wider range of boot sizes compared to the Apollo missions, which consisted of all male astronauts who were similar in height, age, and weight.
To address these challenges, Fester explains that the engineers are working on developing boots that can be fine-tuned to individual astronauts’ needs. Rather than creating numerous custom sizes, the boots will come in select sizes that can be adjusted using padding inserts and external tightening mechanisms. This approach will provide a more comfortable and mobile experience for the astronauts compared to the boots used during the Apollo missions, says Ralston, another NASA engineer involved in the project.
Furthermore, astronauts will spend a significant amount of time training in their boots prior to launch to ensure they perform as expected on the moon’s surface. “They are going to train and train in those boots, try different options until they get the perfect fit,” says Fester. Recognizing the importance of breaking in the moon boots, Fester draws a parallel to breaking in a new pair of shoes, emphasizing the need for astronauts to acclimate to their footwear.
For those looking for an extra bit of comfort, Fester suggests a lower-tech solution. “I personally wear two socks on each foot – it feels way better over six hours,” Fester shares. By making small adjustments like this, engineers and astronauts are working together to ensure the best possible experience during future moon missions.