Dava J. Newman is Professor of Aeronautics

Aeronautics

Aeronautics is the science involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of airflight-capable machines, or the techniques of operating aircraft and rocketry within the atmosphere...

 and Astronautics

Astronautics

Astronautics, and related astronautical engineering, is the theory and practice of navigation beyond the Earth's atmosphere. In other words, it is the science and technology of space flight....

 and Engineering Systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...

. She is most notable for assisting NASA

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...

 in developing new space activity suit

Space activity suit

A space activity suit or mechanical counterpressure suit is an experimental spacesuit which applies stable pressure against the skin by means of skintight elastic garments. The SAS is not inflated like a conventional spacesuit: it uses mechanical pressure, rather than air pressure, to compress the...

s, namely the Bio-Suit, which will provide pressure mechanically, rather than with pressurized gas. The suit is designed to help astronauts move around more easily than gas-filled suits allow.

External links

• Brief bio page at MIT website
• Dava Newman Playlist Appearance on WMBR's Dinnertime Sampler radio show February 18, 2004
• Safeguarding astronauts’ hands, R&D Magazine