posted 04-01-2007 09:53 PM
I wish I could verify the claim, but like much of the early Soviet program it is often difficult to verify technical and historical details.There are a couple things in the timing that makes the claim plausible enough to pursue further investigation.
The timing (1972)was early in the Soviet spacewalk hiatus that lasted from 1969 until December 1977. It is also about the time ASTP was gaining diplomatic ground.
At the time they were asking they had exactly one hour of EVA experience (with difficulties), and part of ASTP's mission was fact finding. They had a "solid" ship in the form of the Soyuz, space station experience, dependable rockets - what did they need most then ? Since good design is developed from experience it would only make sense a extravehicular activity suit would be like gold.
I would take a peek at "Russian Spacesuits" by Isaac Abramov (Published by Springer Praxis)It might have more on this story.
Kyra
posted 03-28-2007 01:22 PM
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