New Delhi, February 27 (IANS). During a spacewalk, astronauts perform important tasks by exiting the International Space Station or spacecraft. During this period, the most important shield for their safety is the ‘spacesuit’. In fact, the spacesuit is not just an outfit, but a microscopic personal spacecraft. It creates an impenetrable safety net for passengers in the adverse and dangerous conditions of space.
Spacesuit is the most important part of space travel. This keeps the astronaut safe even in the most difficult conditions of space. There is no air in space, the temperature is very hot or cold, there are strong rays of the sun and radiation, small dust particles can come at the speed of a bullet and cause injury. Spacesuit provides protection from all these dangers. It supplies oxygen, expels carbon dioxide, controls temperature, provides drinking water and allows astronauts the freedom to work while floating in space.
The specialty of the spacesuit is that it is made up of many layers. Each layer has a different function.
The chest area, also called the hard upper torso, is rigid and connects to the head, arms, and backpack. At the same time, sleeves and gloves provide flexibility to the hands so that the work can be done easily. Helmet protects the head. It has a metal coated visor, which protects the eyes from bright sunlight. Feet and boots cover the feet and help in walking on different surfaces. It consists of a liquid cooling and ventilation garment, which is a garment worn under the suit. It covers the entire body. It has tubes in which cold water flows so that the astronauts are not troubled by the heat.
The spacesuit also has a portable life support system, which is like a bag on the back. It is said to be the most important part of the suit. It consists of oxygen, battery, fan, water tank and carbon dioxide removal machine. This bag provides electricity and breathable air to the suit. There is also a small jetpack attached to the back bag, called a SAFER. It has small thrusters. If the astronaut drifts away from the station, the SAFER helps in return. In a spacewalk, one can remain safe due to the suit for 6 to 8 hours or more.
Orange Advanced Crew Escape suits and Sokol suits are worn for launch and landing. NASA is building new suits for Artemis and Mars missions. These suits will be more flexible, lighter, dustproof and long lasting. Gravity is higher on Mars, so the weight and design of the suit will be different. The new suits will give astronauts more freedom and will make work easier on rough surfaces.
–IANS
MT/AS