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Author
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Topic: US - Russian Spacesuits
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johntosullivan
Member Posts: 162
From: Cork, Cork, Ireland
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 07-31-2006 08:29 AM
   
Every time I've read about an EVA, the description says that the crew will be wearing either US or Russian spacesuits.
Why doesn't the astronaut wear a US suit and the cosmonaut a Russian one?
Are they incompatible?
Does this mean that a US EVA is controlled from Houstan and a Russian EVA is controlled from Moscow?
Thanks,
John |
eurospace
Member Posts: 2610
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 07-31-2006 12:57 PM
It depends on which airlock they exit and re-enter I think.------------------
Jürgen P Esders
Berlin, Germany
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Astroaddies |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 07-31-2006 01:07 PM
From what I understand, I agree with Jurgen that it depends on which airlock is being used, the Russian airlock would be the Russian suit, and the US airlock the US suit. I believe it comes down to the US suit is not compatible with the Russian airlock and vice versa. |
PowerCat
Member Posts: 193
From: Herington, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 07-31-2006 02:13 PM
Some quick research on the internet said that the Quest airlock can be used for both American and Russian spacesuits; the PIRS airlock can only use Russian spacesuits. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-31-2006 02:29 PM
There are several reasons that EMU-Orlan joint EVA is not feasible.First and foremost, the communication system between both suits is not compatible. They also use different equipment, such as foot restraints, which would require a double set of tools being carried. While Quest was designed to support Orlan EVAs, the Russians never paid for their umbilical systems to be tested and therefore, at present only U.S. EMUs use Quest. Lastly, there is the issue of training. At present, there are no Orlans at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab in Houston and while there have been EMUs at the Russian NBL in the past, its unclear if they are still in use today. |
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