Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 1109
From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 04-07-2023 10:48 AM               

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The orange pressure suits for Artemis crew seems to me more bulky that the shuttle pressure suits. More the connectors on Artemis suits remember to me those on Apollo suits.

My question is can these suits, with minor additions (for example a more performing helmet and maybe a white overgarment) perform emergency/transfer EVA?

Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 04-07-2023 11:19 AM               

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NASA was working on just such an approach when they began development of the OCSS, as it was to support Orion visiting an asteroid. When the focus turned to returning astronauts to the moon, the decision was made to leave the OCSS suit for launch and entry (and emergency decompression events) and develop a separate suit for EVA.

When in transit between Earth and the moon, Orion will be traveling alone. There will be no other vehicle to which the crew could transfer. As such, instead of building in EVA capability, NASA focused on extending the time a crew member could stay inside the OCSS. Astronauts could survive wearing the pressurized suit for up to six days as they made their way back to Earth.

Posts: 1109
From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 04-07-2023 02:29 PM               

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But in case of subsequent missions, in case of problem with docking between Starship and Orion (or Gateway) wouldn't it be better upgraded OCSS for contingency transfer EVA, being the suits for moon EVAs too much bulky for Orion capsule?

Furthermore Orion should be depressurized.

Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999