Mars Society Australia is providing four "MarsSkin" suits - analogs of a new flexible spacesuit based on mechanical-counter-pressure - for comparison with the MDRS analogs of conventional gas pressurised spacesuits. Here, modeled by James Waldie, are what all the well-dressed Martians will be wearing this year.

Space suits are a vital aspect of every extravehicular activity (EVA). As such, the performance of the suit is essential to a successful manned mission to Mars. Current spacesuits may not be used on Mars primarily due to flexibility and weight issues. Mechanical counter pressure (MCP) suits that utilise elastic compression, however, may be used due to their superiority in these and other areas. While MCP suits have been developed, and effective gloves produced recently, the practical advantages over conventional gas-filled suits have never been explored.

Project MarsSkin of the Mars Society of Australia aims to produce accurate analogue MCP suits, with Expedition One the first deployment. Expedition One offers the chance to study the MarsSkin suits and compare them with the existing MDRS analogue suits in detail. It is proposed to study four elements during the Ex-One mission: the accuracy of the MarsSkin analogue suit in comparison to actual MCP garments; the degree to which the suit can impact and assist geologist/biologist/engineer astronaut performance; the comparison of the MarsSkin suits with the MDRS suits (qualitatively and quantitatively); and, by analyzing all the above, improving the suit design and effectiveness during EVA.