Moon soldiers usually attack the legs of astronauts, so I strongly urge Oceaneering International to reinforce the waist-down section of the suit, possibly with a composite ceramic shell. This shell system would be fitted to the zero-atmosphere capable suit, but could be fitted to the 'default' suit as a precaution, as sometimes moon soldiers are able to access personnell areas where they attack astronauts. It goes without saying that experimental railguns should be fitted to the right forearm, with som kind of complicated ammunition feeding mechanism mounted on the users backpack.
The article is very misleading from a contractual and financial perspective. 1) The $750M number is the initial contract + two option contracts. 2) To design, develop, manufacture, deliver, and fly the first suit (config 1) is $183M. 3) To design, develop, manufacture, delive, fly, and support the second suit (lunar suit) is $302M. 4) For continual support of the Orion (config 1 suit) is another $260M.
So, in reality, they are NOT designing a suit similar to the one pictured for $3/4B.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick @ Jun 13th 2008 8:37AM
Designing a space suit with a $745 million budget? That must surely be the best job in the world.
Dan @ Jun 13th 2008 9:06AM
That cost almost certainly includes the production of x number of suits.
bohsocks @ Jun 13th 2008 9:14AM
Buy 4,000 generic goldfish tanks and pocket the $745.5M
Dave @ Jun 13th 2008 9:45AM
You are severely underestimating the technology required for these suits.
John @ Jun 13th 2008 11:15AM
This spacesuit is SUCH an iPhone ripoff!!!!
Anastasios Mylonas @ Jun 13th 2008 11:22AM
Moon soldiers usually attack the legs of astronauts, so I strongly urge Oceaneering International to reinforce the waist-down section of the suit, possibly with a composite ceramic shell. This shell system would be fitted to the zero-atmosphere capable suit, but could be fitted to the 'default' suit as a precaution, as sometimes moon soldiers are able to access personnell areas where they attack astronauts.
It goes without saying that experimental railguns should be fitted to the right forearm, with som kind of complicated ammunition feeding mechanism mounted on the users backpack.
Shane @ Jun 13th 2008 11:59AM
The article is very misleading from a contractual and financial perspective.
1) The $750M number is the initial contract + two option contracts.
2) To design, develop, manufacture, deliver, and fly the first suit (config 1) is $183M.
3) To design, develop, manufacture, delive, fly, and support the second suit (lunar suit) is $302M.
4) For continual support of the Orion (config 1 suit) is another $260M.
So, in reality, they are NOT designing a suit similar to the one pictured for $3/4B.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/main/spacesuit.html