Editing Space suit (section)

=== Additive manufacturing ===
[[3D printing]] (additive manufacturing) can be used to reduce the mass of hard-shell space suits while retaining the high mobility they provide. This fabrication method also allows for the potential for in-suit fabrication and repair of suits, a capability which is not currently available, but will likely be necessary for Martian exploration.<ref>{{cite conference |url=https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/handle/2346/73066 |title=In-Situ Fabricated Space Suits for Extended Exploration and Settlement |last1=Bartlett |first1=Harrison |last2=Bowser |first2=Joseph |last3=Callejon Hierro |first3=Carlos |last4=Garner |first4=Sarah |last5=Guloy |first5=Lawrence |last6=Hnatov |first6=Christina |last7=Kalman |first7=Jonathan |last8=Sosis |first8=Baram |last9=Akin |first9=David |date=July 16, 2017 |conference=2017 International Conference on Environmental Systems |conference-url=https://www.ices.space/ |location=Charleston, SC |access-date=December 11, 2018 }}</ref> The [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland]] began development of a prototype 3D printed hard suit in 2016, based on the kinematics of the [[Powered exoskeleton#NASA AX-5 hard shell space suit|AX-5]]. The prototype arm segment is designed to be evaluated in the [[Space Systems Laboratory (Maryland)|Space Systems Laboratory]] glovebox to compare mobility to traditional soft suits. Initial research has focused on the feasibility of printing rigid suit elements, bearing races, ball bearings, seals, and sealing surfaces.<ref>{{cite conference |url=https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/handle/2346/74196 |title=Developing Technologies and Techniques for Additive Manufacturing of Spacesuit Bearings and Seals |last1=Garner |first1=Sarah |last2=Carpenter |first2=Lemuel |last3=Akin |first3=David |date=July 8, 2018 |conference=2018 International Conference on Environmental Systems |conference-url=https://www.ices.space/ |location=Albuquerque, NM |access-date=December 11, 2018 }}</ref>