Topic: Spacesuits used in neutral buoyancy training
carmelo Member
Posts: 1047 From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia Registered: Jun 2004
posted 02-20-2017 03:02 PM
I have a curiosity. You know the EVA training in the swimming pool? My curiosity is, once accomplished the training session, the spacesuits emerged from pool wet and dripping of water. Are these suits dried in some way (and if yes, how?) or simply leave them wet?
And again, the spacesuits that are used in these exercises have a particular overgarnment that dry quickly (like certain swimwear)?
Spaceguy5 Member
Posts: 427 From: Pampa, TX, US Registered: May 2011
posted 02-23-2017 12:00 AM
The suits are disassembled, and then there's a room in the NBL facility where the pieces are put on racks to dry using fans.
I believe most of the suits used in NBL training are actually retired from actual flight. They are real EMU suits, only a few parts like the backpack are modified, and then also weights and such are added to achieve neutral buoyancy. The parts of the suit that are modified for pool usage — and also mockups of tools — are made from certain materials such as plastics to avoid damage from corrosion from repeated pool usage.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-23-2017 07:39 AM
Though it doesn't discuss the drying racks, this video from Tested gives a good look at the spacesuit equipment used in the NBL and mentions most being downgraded from flight status.
posted 02-20-2017 03:02 PM
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