Sending people into space, you need to be sure that absolutely everything you need, and the equipment is made at the highest level. Great importance in space has any detail, especially the space suit which protects astronauts. In the near future, NASA pilots will be able to use the suits from Boeing and SpaceX. One of the astronauts shared their impressions from the trials of these suits.
In our days, NASA astronauts delivered to the ISS via a Soyuz. They used spacesuits “Sokol”. Sunita Williams, NASA astronaut, who was in space 322 days, said the suit “Falcon” is just wonderful. However, for the past three years, she worked with Boeing and SpaceX, cresterea new suits and giving valuable feedback. In her opinion, a bit of a novelty superior to the “Falcon”.
By the end of this year, NASA can be trusted to deliver astronauts to the ISS by a commercial company. It will be Boeing or SpaceX, and maybe both at once. Boeing will launch a test vehicle in November 2018 on the Atlas 5 rocket from United Launch Alliance. SpaceX will begin testing in December 2018 with the Falcon 9. After successful tests, the company will be ready to launch people. For them, each has developed its suit.
Astronaut spacesuit must protect it. To this end, he supports a particular ecosystem inside. It helps the ship. As the ships from SpaceX and Boeing are different, in space suits of the two companies also have differences.
The suit, which will have to carry the passengers of the CST-100 from Boeing Cockpit is highlighted in blue. It is designed to be worn in a sitting position, and stand in it comfortably. Zippered hood will allow you to seal yourself in a spacesuit, in case of need. And most importantly, this is a very lightweight spacesuit. It weighs just 5.4 pounds instead of the usual 15 pounds. Sunita Williams noted that standing in this suit is simply impossible. The material does not stretch.
SpaceX space suit was much more comfortable for movement. Williams can’t remember the other suit, in which would be as convenient to move. The helmet, resembling a motorcycle, is worn on top and latched. This is done effortlessly, which is also very praised the astronaut. However, a helmet may not always be at hand, and in the worst scenario death in space can occur in 15 seconds. To choose between the two impossible.
They are both different and both better than all the suits from the past.
Alas, will have to choose, not astronauts. All they can do today is to give valuable advice to companies that build our space future.
NASA astronaut shared his impressions of the spacesuits Boeing and SpaceX
Ernest Vasilevskiy