Space Suit - What makes it a Life Saver?

It’s not just a dress, without it an astronaut would be de-pressurised to death! This is the most important unit for an astronaut going to space. And there is a significant amount of work which goes in designing a space suit.

Video Credits: SpaceX

The design which was used for the Apollo mission is still in use, as it is with few changes equipped with technical advancements. The spacesuit includes various sub-suits which prevents the astronaut from any complications. 

Do you know, the external part of the spacesuit is called Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). Lets look into the units of a space suit.

Customised diapers:-

First thing which every astronaut have to wear before wearing any of the unit of the spacesuit. As the astronaut has to remain in the spacesuit depending upon the mission which may take long hours for which the metabolism cannot be ceased.

Specially fabricated inners:-

The second part and the first unit of the sub-suit that is being wore by an astronaut, made of suitable fabric which prevents the astronaut from being sweaty.

Video Credits: Seeker

These inners are specially designed for such purposes that is sweat is generated then spontaneously itchiness occurs which may disturb the comfort of the astronaut.

Cold liquid water supplier suit:-

It is the third and one of the most important sub-suit which is specially designed to supply cold liquid water through the whole of the body of the astronaut to maintain the body temperature while travelling in space especially during space walks.

Communication cap:-

The communicating centre of an astronaut with the station or ground control. It is a radio transmitter built in cap which transport the message of the astronaut to the receiver and vice-versa. It consists of a radio transmitter, a microphone and sensors which regulates other equipment.

EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit):-

The main suit of a spacesuit that is the most external part of the spacesuit. It is made of casted composite material which provides high durability, reliability, strength and low weightage.

The EMU is made hard and rigid so that the equipment which are being present on it remain at there particularly determined position. The EMU is the most customized unit of the spacesuit as it is fabricated as per to the physic of the astronaut. It prevents the astronauts from the harmful radiations present in space.

The EMU consists of two divisions that is the lower unit and the upper unit. The lower unit is for the lower body from the waistline with built in shoes and the upper unit with all the equipment integrated.

The upper unit contains all the required equipment such as the oxygen supply, cold water supply, radio transmitter, tool kit, helmet, video camera, gloves, etc.

Video Credits: Discovery Channel Southeast Asia

The helmet has a poly-carbonate shield which allows visibility to the astronauts and also contains polarizer shield to bring down the shiny light rays directly coming from the sun. While the gloves are customized as per to the astronaut for their comfort while working.

Considering the overall weight each spacesuit has an approximate weight of about 300 pounds which is quite heavy for an astronaut for which they are being trained for months for being used to it.

Darwin’s laws Survival of fittest and adaptation to the environment is not only applied within earth but also to the universe.

Learning is the thing which never ends but its not proved until and unless it is implemented in our quest to the infinity.

Content Credits: This article was perceived as a portion of CU Cosmos (Space Science Lab) by combined contribution from multiple members.