One of the most difficult anthropometric challenges is designing protective suits for harsh environments. Space and the surface of other planets being some of the harshest. Up until now all of the working suit designs have been pressurized. They are filled with air to hold there shape.

This makes them bulky, cumbersome and restraining. The famed bunny hop on the moon that the astronauts used to move on the surface was the result not of less gravity, but of reduced body mechanics imposed by the suit.

In fact, NASA's current Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suit is the bulkiest around. It has severe mobility limitations in the neck, shoulder and elbow. And it is quite heavy. All of this would hamper any kind of surface activity on Mars.

Facing that challenge with an exciting concept is MIT. They are working on a form fitting, ultra-flexible space/surface suit that moves with the person, not against them. The MIT Biosuit "relies on mechanical counter-pressure, which involves wrapping tight layers of material around the body." If they can pull this off we may be ready to explore Mars after all.