Astronaut's Coat Hanger

Design I - Project 1 description:

"In this project, you will individually design, fabricate, and test a single component. You will design part geometry so as to minimize mass within challenging constraints on loading, material, and manufacturing. You will use conceptualization methods, sketching, simple models and analytical methods, CAD modeling and analysis tools, and iteration as you improve your mechanical design.

Your supervisor at NASA asked you to join the Martian Astronaut Surface Habitat team, whose exciting mission is to develop living quarters for astronauts on human missions to Mars. You answered “yes!” and made a slightly nerdy gesture. However, your first assignment is not as glamorous as you had expected; you are to design a component for the astronaut’s hat rack. The astronaut team at NASA is very particular about how their attire should be hung and has handed you a detailed set of specifications (below). You are to design a bracket that will hold the astronaut’s flight suit, which will be hung in a secure location upon arrival at the station and never thought about again. Since it is very expensive and energy-intensive to send objects to Mars, the bracket must be as light as possible."