Mechanical counter pressure (MCP) applies pressure to the human body, in whole or in part, mechanically, rather than with gas pressure (GP) systems. Space-related applications include countermeasures for physiological responses to microgravity, aids to adaptation on return to Earth, and advanced EVA suits.Human Aerospace Pty. Ltd. (HAe) received a grant under the Australian Space Agency’s International Space Investment (Expand Capability) program to develop applications of MCP suit technology in three areas: 

Development of a sensorimotor countermeasure skinsuit (SMCS) prototype for mitigating sensorimotor dysfunction associated with spaceflight, and which can have significant impacts on work capability post landing. The SMCS builds on the in-house experience with the gravity loading countermeasure skinsuit (GLCS), which was itself trialled on board the ISS in 2015 and 2017, and utilises the same concept of axial and circumferential loading of the body.

Development of an Orthostatic Intolerance Garment (OIG) prototype to reduce the susceptibility of astronauts to dizziness and fainting during orthostatic challenge (with the onset of gravity exposure or transient accelerations or decelerations). While OIG have a long history of use, areas for improvement include increasing comfort and facilitating adjustability to accommodate changes in anthropometry.

Refining of functional requirements needed for a martian EVA suit incorporating MCP technology, which may overcome the inadequacy of current and planned GP technology to meet the demanding goals of Mars expeditionary EVAs. These include the expectation for up to 24 hours of EVA per week per person during a 540-day Mars surface mission. MCP EVA suits have the potential to be lighter, more comfortable, flexible, dexterous, and safer than GP suits, and are better suited to meet the mission goals. Finally, HAe hopes to culminate in a realistic vision of the suit that will capture the imagination of the Australian public