Golden Shields

> However, for use in places like the
> asteroid belt I can't see spacesuits (at least, the
> type we are used to seeing now) being used.
>
> Instead, I think that for such an application we
> should consider 2001-style pods: a sphere no more than
> a couple meters in diameter with a couple of
> manipulator arms.

I tend to agree. But once you've gone that far, it's hard not to go one step further, and conclude that the pilot doesn't need to actually be inside the pod; he just needs to have a high-speed, high-bandwidth connection to it. All deep-sea oil-rig is done this way nowadays (i.e., remotely operated submersibles with manipulators).

This has a number of additional advantages, including keeping the operator nice and safe behind the heavy shielding of her ship or habitat. But also, you could build these ROVs in a variety of sizes for different jobs. And, just as with deep-sea work, you can make them withstand a harsher environment than any practical suit -- though in space, this would probably mean heavy radiation (e.g. perhaps near Jupiter) rather than pressure.

Of course, when you really need a person in a suit on-site, I really like the idea of "hard" suits with assisted joints -- current research on exoskeletons is approaching practicality, especially in Japan.

Best,
- Joe

Joe Strout -- joe@...