Russian scientists have calculated how to modify the medical suit for future expeditions to the Moon and Mars. Research by Novosibirsk State Technical University showed that the "Chibis" suit currently in use, designed for weightlessness, can have too strong an impact on the body under partial gravity.

"Chibis" is not a spacesuit in which an astronaut goes out onto the surface. It is a medical vacuum suit in the form of sealed trousers. Reduced pressure is created inside, causing blood to move from the upper body to the legs. This mechanism helps compensate for the effects of weightlessness.

In space, this is especially important, as in the absence of gravity, body fluids shift towards the head and upper body, the volume of circulating blood changes, swelling appears, and muscle mass decreases. Therefore, "Chibis" is used to prepare astronauts for returning to Earth, especially in the last month of a long flight.

On the Moon and Mars, the body will no longer be in complete weightlessness. Lunar gravity is about 16.5% of Earth's, and Martian gravity is about 38%. Under the influence of this force, blood partially moves downwards even without a special suit. Therefore, the rarefaction that works well in weightlessness may be too strong in such conditions – especially on Mars, experts explained.

NGTU NETI scientists simulated the suit's operation using a calculation program that students developed based on Bernoulli's equation. It allows evaluating the relationship between gravity and the rarefaction created by the suit, as well as observing how blood is distributed between organs and tissues at different gravity values.

Calculations showed that for the Moon and Mars, a simpler system can be made that will create less rarefaction. This could potentially reduce the mass and complexity of the suit and lower the requirements for its equipment. According to NGTU Professor Alexander Chichindaev, the results of the work can be used in creating a prophylactic suit for future manned lunar missions. When developing a variant for Mars, the even stronger influence of partial gravity will have to be taken into account.