A comparison of human skin strain fields of the elbow joint for mechanical counter pressure space suit development

A comparison of high-resolution human skin strain field data at the elbow joint measured using three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) is presented. Developing skin-tight space suits requires detailed understanding of human skin deformation at joints in order to fit and create mechanical counter pressure without restricting human mobility. Previously, skin strain has been measured at 1 cm² resolution for one or two subjects to demonstrate the measurement technology. Now using 3D-DIC, skin strain is measured at 1 mm². Methodology to take these measurements and the data analysis is explained in detail. This paper goes beyond the measurement technology and presents data from four subjects and compares skin strain fields of the elbow joint, which gives insight into patterns and differences between varying anthropometrics and other factors that affect skin strain. These results are important to develop mechanical counter pressure space suits that are sized correctly for each astronaut and do not inhibit locomotion. These results are discussed in the context of realizing a mechanical counter pressure space suit designed for planetary exploration.