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Author
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Topic: Static discharge during docking?
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Max Q
Member Posts: 399
From: Whyalla South Australia
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 11-18-2008 05:55 AM
   
I was wondering the other day, when two space vehicles dock is there a problem with static discharge between the two vehicles? With all the energy expenditure and friction of launch, I would think some sparks might fly on dock up. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 11-18-2008 12:05 PM
The Agena docking targets from Gemini days had three flexible static discharge 'feelers' sticking out from the docking cone, that would touch the nose of the Gemini just before the actual docking took place. So, it has been a known issue since at least that far back. |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 11-18-2008 01:53 PM
The Agena static discharge system was removed for Gemini XII, as there did not appear to be any significant static discharge on previous dockings.------------------
John Fongheiser
President
Historic Space Systems, http://www.space1.com |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 11-18-2008 02:20 PM
Static charges between spacecraft don't seem to be a concern. But for spacewalkers around solar arrays it can be a concern, given that the suits used are filled with pure oxygen at 5 PSI (as opposed to a 14.7 psi oxygen nitrogen atmosphere in shuttle and the station).So when Scott Parazynski did the cufflink repair on the ISS arrays in 2007, he made darn sure not to contact an array with his glove to lessen the chance of a discharge from his suit to his body. Hence the need for the special tool "hockey stick" that was used to contact the array. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 11-18-2008 04:31 PM
Didn't they trace the problem with the Soyuz TMA reentry modules not separating properly due to static discharge? I recall that they believe that there was static buildup while the Soyuz was docked with the ISS, and discharges from the ISS through the Soyuz shorted out or otherwise affected some of the pyrotechnic devices. |
Duke Of URL
Member Posts: 1316
From: Syracuse, NY
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 01-04-2009 12:53 PM
I read that they wrapped the spacecraft in Downy dryer sheets. |
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