Science

LongTomH

(8,636 posts) Fri Dec 20, 2013, 03:07 PM Dec 2013

Snorkels in Spaaaace

NASA is planning a series of spacewalks to repair a malfunctioning coolant pump on the International Space Station. The first of those spacewalks is scheduled for early Saturday morning, Dec 21. Another is scheduled for Dec 23, and the third, if necessary, will be on Christmas morning.

A previous spacewalk in July 2013 ran into an unanticipated problem when Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano's US-made space helmet began flooding with water, impeding his vision, hearing and even his breathing. Parmitano was forced to retreat to an airlock where he could remove his helmet.

After months of troubleshooting, it is now believed that the problem was a clogged filter, although the source of the contamination that caused the clog is still unknown. The astronauts replaced the filter unit on Parmitano's suit and in tests have been unable to recreate the flooding since.

The suit Parmitano wore will be one of the suits worn during the planned spacewalks.

"We think that is an extremely clean suit and it is ready to go," flight director Dina Contella said during a briefing held Wednesday (Dec. 18).

NASA isn't taking chances. NASA people, on the ground and on the ISS have 'MacGyvered' up a possible last-resort option: A 20-inch (50 centimer) long 'snorkel' that will let the astronaut breath air from his midsection.

Allison Bollinger, NASA lead space spacewalk officer, introduced the snorkel at a press briefing, Wednesday, Dec 18:

"We had the crew fabricate these on orbit," Bolinger said. "They basically cut apart the plastic tubing on a water-line vent tube and then attached hook-line Velcro on one side and pile Velcro on the other."

Normally, these tubes are used for piping water to provide cooling around the astronauts' bodies, but team members were inspired by the size of the plastic lines.

Another ingenious improv idea will give the astronauts advance warning of possible water buildup in their suits: A helmet absorption pad or HAP. The idea goes, if water starts to build up in the helmet, the absorbent pad will become 'squishy;' the astronaut will be able to lean his head back and feel the 'squishiness' of the pad and be forewarned.

The spacewalks will be carried live on UStream. Check the NASA TV schedule for time. If you don't get up that early, highlights of the spacewalks will almost certainly be carried on the NASA YouTube channel.