NASA and Texas Hospital Working on Spacesuit Issue

NASA is hoping some earthbound technology can help make it easier to pinpoint problems with spacesuits.

The space agency reached out to Houston Methodist Hospital to help with its efforts after an Italian astronaut nearly drowned in his helmet during a spacewalk in 2013. Debris clogged a pump mechanism inside the spacesuit.

The hospital is using advanced imaging technology that could help NASA in the future identify problems with spacesuits.

The imaging technology was demonstrated Monday during “Pumps & Pipes.” The annual conference brings three of Houston’s biggest industries – medicine, energy and aerospace – together to discuss technologies that could be shared by the fields.

Luca Parmitano, the Italian astronaut who survived the harrowing experience with the spacesuit, says he’s hopeful the collaboration can benefit NASA.