[FPSPACE] Russians finally agree ISS is too noisy?

[Keith Gottschalk]

>Is there any more information available about this new Russian assessment that ISS is too 
>noisy? Isn't that something new, that even the Russians now seem to agree? How bad is it, 
>what damage does it do, and what can be done about it? 
>
>On-Orbit Status Report (Aug 21) -- A new Russian evaluation of acoustic measurements 
>made by the crew in the last few weeks points out the need for lowering the noise level in 
>the RS and recommends that crew members should continue using protective devices 
>when working in places where noisy equipment is located as well as during sleep periods 
>(especially when doors to sleep compartments ["kayutas"] are left open).

     1st, the immediate remedy is that sleeping & off-duty cosmonauts should wear the sort of protective earmuffs that riveters & boiler-makers & pneumatic drillers use. This requires ISS to remember that deaf people in a skyscraper need to be told when the fire alarms go off & they cannot hear. Sirens need to be coupled to flashing lights. Please add these to the cargo manifests of the next Progress to streak skywards.

   2nd, two countries (USA & Rus) who are the world's largest manufacturers of submarines should have oodles of experience in designing quiet propellers & fans for air conditioning etc! Maybe the analogies between spacecraft & subs go beyond hermetical seals & few windows to the "silent service"?

  3rd, between Hollywood & NASA, surely the USA has the world's biggest producers of acoustic & muffling tiles for studios & test chambers?  Please buy some & pop them in the next Progress  going upstairs!

  Now is the time to sort out these little things, B4 starting the terraforming of Mars :)   :)

yours,

the Noise Abatement Society