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ISS Cosmonauts Train in 120kg 'Single-Seat Spacecraft'
25 May
Summary
- Orlan spacesuits are described as miniature spacecraft, not simple clothing.
- Each suit weighs approximately 120 kg, requiring significant arm strength to move.
- Cosmonauts will soon exit through hatches for an extravehicular activity on May 27.
The crew aboard the International Space Station is undergoing training for an upcoming spacewalk, utilizing the Orlan MKS spacesuits. These suits are described as self-contained, single-seat spacecraft, distinct from emergency rescue suits.
Cosmonauts enter the Orlan suit through an open backpack, which houses essential systems like oxygen supply, cooling, air purification, and communication. The suit itself weighs around 120 kg, necessitating the use of arm strength for mobility due to the absence of an autonomous propulsion system.
To manage internal temperatures, cosmonauts wear specialized underwear with a water-cooling system. Control of the suit's functions, including oxygen levels and pressure, is managed via an onboard computer. Safety is augmented by three tether springhooks.
Attached equipment includes a video system, lights, and filters to protect against intense sunlight. Mirrors aid in monitoring controls as direct self-visualization is impossible. This sophisticated 'personal spacecraft' will be used for exiting the station's hatches for external work.
The extravehicular activity is slated for May 27. Cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikayev will conduct this mission, focusing on equipment installation and the retrieval of experimental data. Flight engineer Andrey Fedyayev will support operations from the ISS by controlling the ERA robotic arm.
