Heater Switch Glove Redesign for NASA
3D rendering made with Clo3D
Phase VI Space Glove: Heater Switch Redesign
In collaboration with NASA TCC Wearable Workshop and the University of Minnesota, I worked on a team to redesign a critical component of the Phase VI Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit glove: the heater switch. The challenge was to develop a reliable, intuitive switch that could activate and indicate glove heating, while functioning in extreme temperatures and under the physical constraints of pressurized gloves. Through in depth research, user centered testing, and iterative prototyping, we explored ways to enhance astronaut usability in some of the most difficult conditions.
Team Members: Grace R., Tierra R., Ruth W.


Project Design Objectives
Phase VI Gloves
EMU Heated Gloves
Pull Tab
Reinforced Holes
Problems
Lack of User Feedback
Regolith Contamination
Formative Research
Research 3 areas:
Gloves
Current, previous and adjacent glove designs
Hand Mobility
Movement of wrists and hands, grip and pinch strength and adaptive switches
Electronics and Environment
Circuitry, wearer feedback and lunar and Martian regolith
Framework
Preliminary Testing
Switches
Switches Tested
Plate
Toggle
Flip with Velcro
Button
Pull Tab with Toggle
Materials
Materials Covering Switch
None
Nylon Fabric with silicone coating
Nylon Fabric with liquid rubber sealant
Polyurethane sheeting
Aluminum foil sheeting
Substrates
None
Water
Soil
Moon Dust Simulant
Indicators
Components
pre-built circuits with lights or vibrating motors, and buttons
stopwatch
tape
subject
Circuit Building
Technical Flat
Switch Installation
Inside of Switch
Rubber sealant on canvas and covering of switch
Environmental Protection
Final Design
Translational Design