Abstract: A protective cover for a space suit, suitable for use in lunar or Mars visits which provides protection to the space suit against dust and organic contaminants while withstanding the rigors of contact with lunar or Martian rocks and equipment and not degrade or tear. The cover can be easily donned and doffed without contaminating the space suit. High strength coated fabrics which are functional in the thermal extremes of the lunar and Mars environments are suitable materials for the protective covers.

Abstract: A novel design and construction method for an inflatable, rigidizable wing for a terrestrial or planetary flying vehicle. The wing is caused to deploy from an initially packed condition and to assume its functional shape by means of an inflation gas. After inflation, the wing is rigidized by any of several means, such that the inflation gas is no longer required. The composite wing is fabricated from a base reinforcement material, often a fabric, which is coated with a polymer resin that hardens when exposed to a curing mechanism. Several activation mechanisms exist by which to initiate rigidization of such a structure, including elevated temperature, ultraviolet light, and chemical constituents of the inflation gas. The resultant wing has fundamental advantages compared to existing inflatable wings, including improved stiffness, and reduced susceptibility to structural failure in response to puncture.