Space Suit for Type One Diabetics

My goal is to get scientists to rethink the design of spacesuits to make them more suitable for people with disabilities. This way, people can experience space travel when it is necessary, despite any disability they may have. I will be focusing on designing a space suit for Type One Diabetics. 

An Overview: Research

According to Nasa, in certain regions of the world, life will no longer be habitable due to the effects of global warming. Specifically, it will be very difficult to live in South Asia and the Persian Gulf, such as the countries of Kuwait, Oman, and Iran. ​

  • Therefore, it is necessary to start thinking of ways to help humans adapt to a life possibly beyond Earth- One where space travel is the most efficient way to preserve humanity.​

  • However, there are various safety concerns when it comes to space travel. Some of these include an increased risk of cancer and degenerative diseases due to space radiation, our circadian rhythms being altered which can cause many health issues including heart problems due to isolation and confinement, a lack of food and medication provided for individuals because of the distance from Earth, and the change of gravity fields which can affect coordination, bone mass, organ function, and spatial orientation.​

  • This has led me to try to design a way to help Type One Diabetics specifically travel through space more efficiently when people begin space traveling frequently. 

Visual Design: Accesible Glucose

In the space suit's backpack, there will be an added glucose pouch beneath the water tank. A thin straw will lead up to the connected helmet to allow the individual in the suit to sip through the straw if their blood sugar is low. 

Visual Design: Integrated Glucose Monitor and Control IQ:

On the arm of the spacesuit will be a screen. This screen has the individual's blood sugar level displayed, as well as Control IQ. Control IQ is "compatible integrated continuous glucose monitors (iCGM, sold separately) and alternate controller enabled (ACE) pumps to automatically increase, decrease, and suspend delivery of basal insulin based on iCGM readings and predicted glucose values" (Tandem). 

Visual Design: Integrated Insulin and Insulin Pump:

In the first layer of the spacesuit, the cooling garment, there will be a cooling pack attached to the outer thigh. This contains a supply of cooled insulin, enough for months or even more. Attached to it by a thin, plastic tube is an insulin pump that is compatible with the Control IQ on the screen on the arm. It is inserted through the skin on the upper thigh in order for insulin to make its way through the individual's bloodstream. 

The Process and Outcome

Through 'Procreate' and 'Canva' I was able to make my idea come to life. Through multiple layers, the ability to show the inner workings of the space suit I designed and how my new components work was made possible. However, before digitally designing this suit, I had to go through extensive research to figure out how this idea would physically work. Overall, I achieved the process of rethinking a 'normal' spacesuit to make it more suitable for someone with Type One Diabetes.

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