{"id":44472,"date":"2023-05-03T08:18:57","date_gmt":"2023-05-03T08:18:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/?p=118379"},"modified":"2023-05-03T09:32:35","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T09:32:35","slug":"how-astronauts-survive-the-extreme-conditions-in-space","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/how-astronauts-survive-the-extreme-conditions-in-space\/","title":{"rendered":"How astronauts survive the extreme conditions in space"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preparing the human body for the cold and radiation of space is no easy task. What did we learn from the Apollo era? <\/p>

By Garry Hunt\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 03 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

As NASA prepares to return human feet to the Moon with its Artemis programme<\/a>, just how do astronauts survive the extremities of space, and how did the Apollo moonwalkers cope with the extreme temperatures and conditions on the lunar surface?<\/p>\n

Planetary bodies without atmospheres, like the Moon, are extremely hostile places for humans to exist in.<\/p>\n

But the lunar astronauts were protected from the extreme conditions by their spacesuits.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Apollo 15 astronauts Jim Iwrin and David Scott deploy the first Lunar Roving Vehicle on the Moon. Credit: NASA<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Today, astronauts face plenty of potential dangers on the International Space Station<\/a>, and safety will be paramount as we move towards returning humans to the Moon, and surviving the journey to Mars<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To protect an astronaut, a spacesuit must have a pressurised atmosphere, provide oxygen, remove carbon dioxide and maintain a comfortable temperature.<\/p>\n

In addition, an astronaut\u2019s suit must protect the astronaut from micrometeoroids and hostile radiation, and allow good visibility.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
NASA astronaut Kate Rubins during a spacewalk on the International Space Station, 28 February 2021. Credit: NASA<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Astronauts must also be able to move easily in and around the spacecraft in their suits, and communicate with their colleagues and ground control.<\/p>\n

In the Apollo moon missions, all spacesuits were tailor-made, used only once and then thrown away. How much did a spacesuit cost? Only about $2 million!<\/p>\n

The inner portion of the spacesuit was made up of about 20 layers of special types of nylons and a material called Kapton film, made by the company DuPont.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Kapton was used even as recently as the James Webb Space Telescope, where it formed Webb\u2019s sunshield\u2019s membrane layer, each as thin as a human hair. Credit: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Kapton film can withstand temperatures from -269\u00b0C to 400\u00b0C, which is necessary on the Moon where temperatures range from about -180\u00b0C at night to at least 100\u00b0C during the day.<\/p>\n

The outside of the spacesuit was covered by Teflon-coated glass fibre, and to reflect heat from the Sun and maintain a comfortable temperature, the spacesuit was coloured white.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Astronaut Dave Scott emerging from Apollo 9 in orbit around Earth. Credit: NASA<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Finally, to allow the astronauts to move freely, all of the joints were constructed so that they would bend easily, even when pressurised.<\/p>\n

Spacesuits have not changed a great deal since then. There were some developments for the Space Shuttle<\/a> era, but of course we are now entering the era of privately-funded spaceflight.<\/p>\n

Read our story on the NASA Artemis, SpaceX Crew Dragon and Virgin Galactic spacesuits<\/a> to find out more about how these companies are seeking to protect their astronauts.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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