Volumetric Limits for Carry in a Spacesuit

Though there is a plethora of ergonomic guidelines for manual material handling, including
maximum weight limits, there is not much guidance for the largest size of an object that a person
can carry. Moreover, given the new Artemis space program’s intent to reestablish and maintain
human presence on the Moon, there is a need to set manual material handling requirements for
the partial gravity environment. Lunar surface carry limits while wearing a pressurized spacesuit
is chief among them. Specifically, volumetric limits are required to determine the maximum
dimensions of an item that a crewmember will be able to carry on the lunar surface. This study
will assess spacesuit motion data to determine acceptable locations where the hand can be
positioned for carrying an object, as hand position will vary with the crewmember
anthropometry, spacesuits constraints and mechanism. Maximum volume limits will be derived
from clearances between the suit and the gloved hand. The mobility of the suit and task contexts
(e.g., terrain types, ground clearance) will also be taken into consideration to ensure that the
volume being carried does not interfere with suit hardware or impart any mobility restrictions.
The specific analysis methods and outcomes will be detailed in the final proceeding. The
outcome of this study is expected to provide guidelines for maximum volumes that can be
carried both two-handed and one-handed while wearing a spacesuit.