These are some parts of an articulated dummy that was built at the Illinois Institute of Technology, for NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center. Its purpose was to support the development of spacesuits. It used hydraulic actuators to replicate many of the joint motions of the human body with realistic forces. Sensors placed throughout the dummy measured forces that a prototype suit might exert on a human being when wearing the suit in a space environment. That enabled suit designers to measure how much force a human would need to move an arm or leg, or tern his or her head, when wearing a suit in space. By using this dummy instead of a human being during the design and testing of a space suit, tests could proceed that might otherwise be painful, tedious, or even dangerous for a human being to participate in.
These pieces are part of the original accession, but were not installed or included when the dummy was placed on exhibit in 2004.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date
1963-1967
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
EQUIPMENT-Test
Manufacturer
IIT Research Institute
Dimensions
Storage: 41.28 x 41.28 x 41.28cm (1ft 4 1/4in. x 1ft 4 1/4in. x 1ft 4 1/4in.)
Various small dimensions, including aluminum plates of a few square inches each.
Materials
Aluminum
Fiberglass
Paint
Ink
Steel
Nylon
Rubber
Velcro
Inventory Number
A19860239001
Credit Line
Gift of Larry Graham
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.
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