Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

ISS Spacewalk Cut Short

Posted by michael on from the practice-in-breath-holding-pays-off dept.

RobertB-DC writes "The spacewalk that was intended to replace a balky power supply ended almost before it started, according to Spaceflight Now's Mission Status Center play-by-play. The Russian Orlan spacesuit worn by US astronaut Mike Fincke developed a problem with its oxygen supply (!), forcing both spacewalkers back to the airlock after less than 15 minutes. Mission control and the ISS crew are still debating what to do next."

10 of 181 comments (clear)

  1. Re:What to do next by arikol · · Score: 2, Informative

    Not really, too big, too heavy, too cumbersome (cant maneuver them in the small spaces needed) PLUS you would be using robotic arms instead of your own, an unmanned EVA pod would be just as good for any mission that a pod could be used for. unfortunately, it is much easier to use hands (even in thick gloves) for most delicate movements. EVA suits are here to stay for the near future

  2. Re:Russian space suits... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The American suits have been used and are preferred for spacewalks (the US airlock recycles the air which is useful).

    Unfortunately when they tested the US suits shortly after getting onboard they found problems (air bubbles in the cooling system IIRC) so they had to use the Russian equipment. This meant a much more dangerous/risky spacewalk but it was the only working kit they had.

    Now it is a question of which kit they can fix/replace first.

  3. Re:Russian Spacesuits by azmatsci · · Score: 5, Informative
    Teathers have never broken when connected to a astronaught-type in orbit. Satellites have done experiements with teathers before where those have broken but it was a completly different environment.

    As for jet packs, the airlocks are not able to handle them. They would need to be mounted outside, but they would deteriorate, so they would need a locker.....and the problems keep mounting.

    --
    I stole this sig.
  4. Re:And...... by LooseChanj · · Score: 2, Informative

    #3 there is an urban legend. Fisher spent their own money developing the "space pen". And the US did use pencils for a while. But the problem with pencils is that breathing graphite dust isn't the healthiest thing in the world.

    --
    Mix the failings of Usenet with the shortcomings of the World Wide Web and the result is slashdot.
  5. Re:Russian Spacesuits by virtual_mps · · Score: 3, Informative
    um , when NASA uses the jetpack, they usually got no tether. Where's the backup there?

    You're probably confusing the backup system (SAFER) with the MMU. The backup system is a small backpack, it's not the big flying chair you may be thinking of (which hasn't been used since the 80's IIRC.)
  6. Standard Snopes link by ericspinder · · Score: 2, Informative

    The snopes website has an excellent recap of this issue...Space pen. One really interesting addition is ... "Fisher pen was eventually used by both American and Soviet astronauts"

    --
    The grass is only greener, if you don't take care of your own lawn.
  7. Re:Russian space suits... by Janek+Kozicki · · Score: 2, Informative

    Personally I would want to be on the rocket that had a lower percentage of failure and thus would want the American space suit, but perhaps I'm biased. ;)

    are you aware that Energia, the rocket which evolved after all this "try to get failure" type of development has very low rate of failures? Oh well - it's around 99% of succesfull launches.

    I can't google it right now. But if you want to check - start here and there.

    --
    #
    #\ @ ? Colonize Mars
    #
  8. Re:Just a thought: by pediddle · · Score: 2, Informative

    Hello? SpaceShipOne doesn't get anywhere near orbit, let alone having the ability to deliever cargo to ISS. It's a completely different ballgame, so no wonder the costs are different.

  9. Re:Russian space suits... by DerekLyons · · Score: 2, Informative
    It also spoke of how the russians bettered their space program by launching many rockets, knowing their failure rate would be high, but learning from those failures. In comparison the American program launched fewer and did lots of R&D between them.

    Personally I would want to be on the rocket that had a lower percentage of failure and thus would want the American space suit, but perhaps I'm biased. ;)
    The simple fact is; despite the difference in approaches, the reliability of the boosters developed under the two systems is so close as to be insignificant. The best American launcher weighs in with a reliabilty around 99.2% (The Shuttle is at about 98.8%), the best Soviet/Russian launcher weighs in at about 99.3%.
  10. Re:Russian space suits... by The_K4 · · Score: 2, Informative

    1) Because the suits are IN the airlock and cannot be moved through the station to the other air lock.
    2) The russian airlock is not an air-recycling airlock, so yeah the suit DOES interface with the airlock.