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Author
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Topic: Luna space suits
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paul prendergast
Member Posts: 429
From: crawley west sussex UK
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 06-06-2004 12:51 PM
   
Please can any one tell me what the differance between the j serires suits that was used on Apollo 15-17, and the suits that was used on the earlier missions in the program, i am intrested if any one can tell me. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 43576
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-06-2004 01:18 PM
From "U.S. Space Gear: Outfitting The Astronaut" by Lillian Kozloski: quote:
In July 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts extended their lunar extravehicular activity periods to twice as long as those of previous teams. This was made easier through ILC's redesign of the basic Apollo A7L suit, used since Apollo 7, to accommodate flexible convolutes instead of the built-in block-and-tackle mechanism that physically extended or contracted torso length. Improved convoluted joints were fitted at the knees, wrists, elbows, ankles and thighs. Waist and neck flexion joints were added. They lessened fatigue when astronauts were suited up for long periods, as well as allowed mobility to bend over, touch the ground, and sit in the Lunar Rover. The new A7LB (first designated the A9L) suit contained the usual restraint-and-pressure bladder, but the long rear zipper now appeared on the right front, and a flexible container provided a greater supply of drinking water from inside the neckring.Hamilton Standard also redesigned the PLSS increasing operation duration to seven hours. Oxygen tanks were thickened to withstand increased pressure and provide 50 percent more gas and 39 percent more water. Battery capacity was increased by 30 percent, and extra quantities of lithium hydroxide ensured longer life. Emergency OPS operation could be extended an additional 75 minutes.
Also noted, on Apollo 17, "suit technicians had added Velcro pads in the helmets so that astronauts could scratch their noses while on the lunar surface, answering a complaint from earlier crews." And, "The suits worn by the mission commanders and lunar module pilots retained the original six connectors, but they were more comfortably repositioned to form triangles on both right and left sides of the suits. The NASA emblem was also switched from the right side of the chest to the right shoulder on all suits." |
paul prendergast
Member Posts: 429
From: crawley west sussex UK
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 06-06-2004 01:35 PM
Many thanks Robert, |
Tom
Member Posts: 1610
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 06-06-2004 01:46 PM
Just one other note...beginning with Apollo 13, red stripes were added to the Commanders suit to identify him on the lunar surface. |
Captain Apollo
Member Posts: 260
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 06-06-2004 04:50 PM
The suit of the type Aldrin wore had two features which always seem to appear in diagrams, even though in later suits they are absent? One is the "red ball on a string" - what's that do? The other is the sort of "codpiece" cover - later suits didn't have that? |
Matt T
Member Posts: 1369
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 06-06-2004 05:41 PM
The "red ball on a string" is a pressure relief valve used to deflate the suit in an emergency. A different pressure relief valve was also seen on the wrist or upper thigh, and yet another was incorporated into the helmet. I'm not clear about the timeline of these design changes.I'm not certain what you're calling the "codpiece cover" but I'm guessing it is something similar to the umbilical cover that was seen on the early Apollo lunar missions. Possibly a zipper cover, as the zip moved from the back (starting at the crotch) to an over the shoulder position starting at the armpit. Cheers,
Matt ------------------
www.spaceracemuseum.com [This message has been edited by Matt T (edited June 06, 2004).] |
NC Apollo Fan
Member Posts: 261
From: Belmont, NC USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 06-06-2004 07:38 PM
I think that I've mentioned this before, but I'll post it again just because I'm proud of the old man. My father - originally from London - moved over to the US to make the special zippers needed on the J Mission suits. He designed and made each one himself. By the end of the project he had met my mother and ended up living in the states for good. I just thought that I'd mention it. He is over in London right now for an anniversary celebration of the company that sent him over to work on Apollo, so I suppose that his small contribution has been on my mind lately. Jonathan |
Captain Apollo
Member Posts: 260
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 06-07-2004 01:52 PM
Take a look at the famous picture of Aldrin for instance and his crotch is covered by something that looks like a codpiece with studs around its perimeter. Take a look at say Dave Scott, and it is gone. Is it because they changed from a back zip to a shoulder zip I wonder? |
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