The image at the top of the page depicts an astronaut wearing a mechanical counter-pressure (MCP) suit outfitted for extreme Martian exploration. Suit elements in order of donning are: (1) comfortable elastic bio-suit layer; (4) hard torso shell; and (5) portable life support system that attaches mechanically to the hard torso shell, and provides gas counter pressure. Gas pressure flows freely into the helmet (2) and down tubes on the elastic bio-suit layer to the gloves and boots (3). The bio-suit layer is lightweight and easy to don and doff. It is custom fitted to each astronaut using a laser scanning/electrospinlacing process. Artwork: Cam Brensiger
