- Author
-
Hedge, J. C.
- Title
- Survey of Thermal Control Techniques for Extravehicular Space Suits.
- Coporate
- IIT Research Inst., Chicago, IL
- Sponsor
- Aerospace Medical Research Lab., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
- Report
-
AMRL-TR-68-87; IITRI Project No. J6028,
December 1968,
25 p.
- Contract
- AF-33-615-3468
- Keywords
-
space suits
|
cooling
|
thermal protection
|
mobility
|
physiology
|
extravehicular activity
- Abstract
- The results of a study of the thermal protection problems related to the extravehicular astronaut with particular attention to the inter-relationship between thermal protection and mobility are described. The information studied was obtained through searching the literature and interviewing individuals directly involved in current space suit thermal technology. The study is intended to aid in understanding the thermal-mobility interrelationship and to help set the course for future space suit thermal control research. The study includes a review of the space thermal environment, with respect to the sources and magnitudes of heat energy delivered to the astronaut. An examination is made of the astronaut's thermal physiology, which embraces the problems associated with the extraordinary metabolic rates experienced during some extravehicular missions. The basic thermal processes available for controlling the space suit temperature and the current state-of-the-art of active and passive thermal control systems are discussed. A passive system alone cannot meet the thermal requiremnets of the extravehicular astronaut. Future research should include an investigation of a hybrid system wherein passive capabilities can be exploited to reduce the size of an active system. Improved thermal protection of gloves with adequate tactility is another area suggested for future research.