Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Space Shuttles - Space Station
  ISS 17: Spacewalk to have an explosive twist

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   ISS 17: Spacewalk to have an explosive twist
cspg
Member

Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

posted 06-27-2008 02:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cspg   Click Here to Email cspg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
MSNBC: Next spacewalk will have an explosive twist
Cosmonauts to remove suspect pyrotechnic device from Soyuz craft
Two Russian cosmonauts on the international space station practiced Thursday for a dramatic spacewalk planned next month, which will involve taking an explosive bolt from the exterior of a docked Soyuz spacecraft and bringing it into the station itself.

The risky operation is aimed at figuring out why similar bolts on earlier Soyuz spaceships misfired, leading to two rugged, off-course landings over the past year. The cosmonauts hope to avoid similar problems when they use the currently docked Soyuz to return to Earth at the end of their mission in October.

One of the most delicate aspects of the July 10 spacewalk will be handling the bolt, which sources say packs twice the explosive force of an M-80 firecracker when ignited.

Jay Chladek
Member

Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007

posted 06-27-2008 02:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jay Chladek   Click Here to Email Jay Chladek     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow, I don't believe there has ever been a spacewalk done to service a Soyuz in orbit before. As such, there are quite a few risks involved, not just with the obvious explosive bolt either.

Pyros are pretty safe normally, although it would give me pause if I were to have one of those sitting inside a space station. Still, if I had a choice between doing this, or coming back to Earth with the risk that the instrument module might not seperate, potentially causing another front first reentry (something a Soyuz is not designed to do), I will take this as the less risky of the two.

ejectr
Member

Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 06-27-2008 05:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ejectr   Click Here to Email ejectr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I somewhat know how that's going to feel. I once waltzed a live 5" projectile down a 5" 38 cal gun mount ladder with a ticking 35 second fuse after a hang fire. As soon as the fuse on the nose cleared the breech it started ticking off the seconds.

Made one heck of a splash when I threw it overboard and one heck of a splash when it blew!

Good luck to them messing with pyrotechnics in outer space with a clumsy space suit glove on.

LCDR Scott Schneeweis
New Member

Posts:
From:
Registered:

posted 06-27-2008 05:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for LCDR Scott Schneeweis   Click Here to Email LCDR Scott Schneeweis     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by ejectr:
I once waltzed a live 5" projectile down a 5" 38 cal gun mount ladder with a ticking 35 second fuse after a hang fire.

A hang fire in a 5" 38?? Man you are seriously dating yourself!!! :-) Former Gunnersmate?

------------------
Scott Schneeweis
http://www.SPACEAHOLIC.com/

ejectr
Member

Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 06-27-2008 08:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ejectr   Click Here to Email ejectr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by LCDR Scott Schneeweis:
A hang fire in a 5" 38?? Man you are seriously dating yourself!!! :-) Former Gunnersmate?


Actually...I'm dating myself even worse. It was a 5" 54, not a 5" 38.

After my first Navy career ended with alterations to my uniform (bullet holes) in Nam, I was a Fire Control Tech.

Jay Chladek
Member

Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007

posted 06-28-2008 01:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jay Chladek   Click Here to Email Jay Chladek     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
So, would our distinguished collegues from the Navy who have experience with live rounds consider this spacewalk to be "major pucker factor"?

Also, I have to wonder if NASA might want to reconsider overriding the Navy's request to hold back any possible astronaut candidates currently operating in an EOD capacity from consideration.

I also have to wonder if this operation succeeds what sort of thoughts will be going through the crewmembers heads when they come back in October with the bolt in the reentry module. The Russians will probably say "no problem" but Richard Garriott might be glancing at that box a few times when they come back.

ejectr
Member

Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 06-28-2008 06:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ejectr   Click Here to Email ejectr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This far from distinguished Navy person would say that anytime there is a possibility of something exploding, there certainly would be a pucker factor.

I know I was adding up my insurance policies as I counted off the seconds in my mind when the thing WOULD blow. Sometimes not knowing if it WILL blow is worse than knowing WHEN.

It's easy to sit at a desk and tell someone that all will be OK. It's another thing when you're staring at the thing in your hand. You trust what their telling you, but still have an element of doubt.

NavySpaceFan
Member

Posts: 655
From: Norfolk, VA
Registered: May 2007

posted 06-28-2008 09:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for NavySpaceFan   Click Here to Email NavySpaceFan     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As a former gunnery officer, I can attest to the "pucker factor" for this EVA. I don't think they have approved ordnance stowage areas on board ISS.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-09-2008 06:03 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
NASA release
Russian Spacewalk to Retrieve Soyuz Pyro Bolt

International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 17 commander Sergei Volkov and flight engineer Oleg Kononenko will inspect and retrieve an explosive bolt from the Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft during a July 10 spacewalk. The bolt will be returned to Earth for examination.

The spacewalk comes in the wake of two consecutive ballistic entries by the previous Soyuz, entries that resulted in high-G rides for the crews and landings hundreds of miles short of the planned recovery area. Russian engineers say they have evidence that failed explosive bolts that help separate two modules likely are responsible.

Scheduled to begin at about 1:20 p.m. CDT, the spacewalk should last about six hours and focus on the area between the Soyuz return and propulsion modules.

Volkov and Kononenko will leave the Pirs docking compartment and move to the Strela hand-powered crane mounted nearby. Volkov, wearing the red-striped Orlan spacesuit and designated EV1, and Kononenko will mount a foot restraint on the end of Strela.

Kononenko, EV2 in the blue-striped suit, will get into the foot restraint and Volkov will maneuver him to the Soyuz, docked to the Earth-facing port on Pirs.

After installing covers to protect nearby thrusters, Kononenko will cut and secure insulation and inspect and photograph the area. Then Volkov will move along the Strela to join Kononenko, who will install a handrail on the Soyuz and a cover to protect fluid lines.

Work Ares 1

Volkov will cut a wire tie between adjacent pyrotechnic bolts in the suspect position and demate an electrical connector. Next he will unscrew and retrieve the pyro bolt and stow it in a protective cylindrical case. He'll reinstall the insulation cover, and remove the thruster covers, taking photos after each step.

Work Ares 2

Kononenko and Volkov will move back to the Strela controls and both will maneuver the crane back to its stowage position on Pirs. They'll stow a bag with the blast-proof container holding the pyro bolt back in the airlock.

Work Ares 3

If time permits, they'll install a docking target on the space-facing side of the Zvezda service module. It will help with the docking of a Russian mini-research module atop Zvezda. The module will be delivered on a future mission.

The cosmonauts will return to Pirs, enter the airlock and close the hatch.

Flight engineer Greg Chamitoff will remain in the Soyuz during the spacewalk, part of contingency preparations for the unlikely event the Pirs airlock cannot be repressurized.

Volkov and Kononenko will conduct another spacewalk July 15 to outfit the Russian segment's exterior, install one scientific experiment and retrieve another.

Jay Chladek
Member

Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007

posted 07-09-2008 01:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jay Chladek   Click Here to Email Jay Chladek     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well, I am going to say a prayer that they pull this one off properly. It looks pretty straight forward to me.

But, if I were a Cosmonaut on the ISS right now the day before this spacewalk, I would be regretting the fact there is apparently no vodka onboard. This the type of thing that would make me, a stone cold sober guy, want to at least have a stiff drink or two the night before doing (not enough to get drunk and screw up my reflexes for the next day, just enough to get a slight buzz).

This could very well be the most critical EVA ever performed, because it isn't about just fixing hardware. It is about fixing your ride home. I just hope they make it look easy and something unexpected doesn't happen.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-09-2008 04:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Jay Chladek:
This could very well be the most critical EVA ever performed, because it isn't about just fixing hardware. It is about fixing your ride home.
Okay, let's put this into some perspective. Their Soyuz, as is, with no EVA or repair, is safe to reenter. A ballistic reentry, while not desirable, is one of the standard modes of return. They are doing the repair because they can, not because they must.

music_space
Member

Posts: 1179
From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 07-09-2008 09:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for music_space   Click Here to Email music_space     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
"The bolt will be returned to Earth for examination". On which mission?

And reinstalled when?

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-10-2008 07:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by music_space:
On which mission? And reinstalled when?
The bolt they are removing is one of two on one of five latching mechanisms. The latch itself will be unlocked during the EVA, thus neither the bolt nor the latch is needed for the Soyuz to return safely.

The bolt will not be reinstalled. Rather it will return to Earth in October aboard the Soyuz from which it was removed.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-10-2008 08:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Houston Chronicle: Duo removing explosive Soyuz bolt in risky spacewalk
"The spacewalk is unusual. You can bet the crew will be very deliberate," said former NASA astronaut Tom Jones, an aerospace consultant who has participated in three spacewalks outside the space station. "But the added risk is probably not greater than the risk of the spacewalk itself."

Explosive bolts have been used extensively on spacecraft, including NASA's manned shuttle, and on military aircraft for decades while accruing a good safety record, said Arthur Draut, a professor of aeronautical sciences at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz.

"The technology is mature enough that handling the bolt is fairly safe," Draut said. "I don't see any danger from removing it."

Lou Chinal
Member

Posts: 1306
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007

posted 07-10-2008 11:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lou Chinal   Click Here to Email Lou Chinal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
While I can understand the need to examine it back on earth, part of me says, "throw it over the side".

-Lou

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-10-2008 12:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Lou Chinal:
"throw it over the side"
Once disconnected, the only way the bolt could accidentally go off would be by exposure to a static charge and NASA and Roscosmos engineers have made sure that the bolt's surrounding environment and the tools the cosmonauts will use prevent that situation. Further, the bolt will be placed in a blast-proof container that has been tested on the ground, thus even if it does go off inside, the crew and station would be at no risk.

Of potential greater risk to the crew will be the large knife they will use to cut away insulation during the EVA. Never has such a large blade been deployed during a spacewalk.

That said, you may see the cosmonauts toss some equipment overboard -- the cosmonauts will be installing protective covers over the Soyuz thrusters in the area where they will work. If they feel the covers have been exposed to the thrusters' fuel, they may discard of them rather than risk being exposed to the toxic fuel by bringing them back inside the airlock.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-10-2008 12:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Of note, this is the first Russian Orlan EVA to feature a helmet-cam view. NASA has outfitted Oleg Kononenko's Orlan with one of the helmet cams usually installed on the U.S. EMU spacesuit.

Jay Chladek
Member

Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007

posted 07-10-2008 01:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jay Chladek   Click Here to Email Jay Chladek     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Okay, let's put this into some perspective. Their Soyuz, as is, with no EVA or repair, is safe to reenter. A ballistic reentry, while not desirable, is one of the standard modes of return. They are doing the repair because they can, not because they must.

Okay, I understand that one bolt hanging up would still be safe enough for the Soyuz to come in ballistically as it would just rip off like it did on the last two TMA capsules. But what if a pair had a hangup (or something else)? As such if the Soyuz came in a little deeper like Soyuz 5 did, it could make for a nasty ride. Add a little more weight to the mix then Soyuz 5 (three crewmembers in a slightly heavier capsule compared to one) and something even more critical could be damaged in a front first ballistic reentry before the propulsion module rips off and the craft rights itself.

Granted I do see how the propulsion module is bolted to the descent module as they are using the same type of truss structure they've used on the R-7 rocket stages dating back to Vostok. And it looks as though these tubes will burn through or rip apart somewhat easily when sideways aerodynamic forces build up on a reentry. But throw a wild card into the mix and it could make for a rather bad day. As such, I don't think they are doing this JUST because they can, but rather so they can eliminate this one factor from the fault chain in case something else goes wrong.

I may seem overly melodramatic in my postings on this. But this is something I do worry about. Reason being is that if a Soyuz doesn't make it back, not only would it be bad for all involved but it could mean some bad political consequences down the line for the ISS and our space program (not so much for the Russian program as they just pick up the pieces and move on, lesson learned).

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-10-2008 01:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Today's EVA, the 113th spacewalk in support of the space station, began at 1:48 p.m. CDT just as the outpost flew over the Pacific Ocean just southeast of Hawaii at an altitude of 214 miles.

This is the first EVA for both Sergei Volkov, wearing the red-striped Orlan, and Oleg Kononenko, wearing the blue-striped spacesuit.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-10-2008 04:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Kononenko and Volkov have maneuvered to the work site, have installed the thruster covers, and are now working to cut away the insulation that covers the pyrobolts and latch mechanism.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-10-2008 05:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

With Kononenko holding him against the Soyuz for traction, Volkov disconnected the electrical connector that led to the pyrobolt, but are still working to free a locking ring attached to the connector.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-10-2008 05:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
After ten turns with a wrench, Volkov removed the pyrobolt from the Soyuz latching mechanism and inserted it into its blast-proof canister.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-10-2008 11:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Volkov and Kononenko completed the EVA at 8:06 p.m. CDT after 6 hours, and 18 minutes working outside the space station.

The spacewalkers installed a thermal blanket over their work area, took photos of the site and then moved the Strela crane back to its stowage position on Pirs.

Installation of a docking target, a get-ahead task scheduled for this spacewalk, will be rescheduled for Tuesday's outing.

Lou Chinal
Member

Posts: 1306
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007

posted 07-12-2008 01:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lou Chinal   Click Here to Email Lou Chinal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Robert-

The EVA was successful!

My hat is off to Volkov & Kononenko.

I know you are right about the bolt, but I still worry.

-Lou

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement