[FPSPACE] Columbia report released...about the astronauts

[MattWriter at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/30/08 2:38:06 PM, robert at collectspace.com writes:


> The launch and entry suit was added in response to the Challenger accident, 
> rather than as a part of the original vehicle design. The ACES was the 
> successor to that suit. The suit protects the crew in many scenarios; however, 
> there are several areas where integration difficulties diminish the capability 
> of the suit to protect the crew. Integration issues include: the crew cannot 
> keep their visors down throughout entry because doing so results in high 
> oxygen concentrations in the cabin; gloves can inhibit the performance of nominal 
> tasks; and the cabin stow/deorbit preparation timeframe is so busy that someti
> mes crew members do not have enough time to complete suit-related steps 
> prior to atmospheric entry. 
> 

I don't see how any of those is especially difficult.   Granted, the 
engineering changes for a mod like this will not be attempted now, with the shuttle 
scheduled for retirement, but the oxygen level problem could be fixed by a tweak 
to the software running the environmental control system (making it, 
essentially, run slightly less efficiently during the last hour of flight), the 
timeline adjusted a few minutes to permit the additional suit-related steps, and, as 
to the gloves, the gloves of the ACES suit, like all pilot/astronaut pressure 
suits, are specifically designed to permit use of the control stick and other 
critical controls while fully pressurized.   The crew's actions would be less 
efficient, but not prohibited.   

Thanks for pointing out that input in the report, though.   I'm not saying I 
am right, just that I am puzzled.   The folks who did this report and the 
Columbia and Challenger ones are infinitely more qualified than I am, but I just 
don't get this.

Matt Bille
Freeelance space/science writer
http://mattbille.blogspot.com


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