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A Glin-IPSE from the INSIDE of a SPACE SUIT: WHAT IS IT REALLY LIKE to TRAIN for an EVA`'

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A Glin-IPSE from the INSIDE of a SPACE SUIT: WHAT IS IT REALLY LIKE to TRAIN for an EVA`' IAG09.B6.3.6 A GLIn-IPSE FROM THE INSIDE OF A SPACE SUIT: WHAT IS IT REALLY LIKE TO TRAIN FOR AN EVA`' Matthew A. Gast United Space Alliance, LLC 600 Gemini, Houston TX, 77058-2783; USA matthew.gast-1 @nasa.gov Sandra K Moore, Ph.D. United Space Alliance, LLC 600 Gemini, Houston TX, 77058-2783 ;USA sandra. k.moore@nasa. gov Abstract The beauty of the view from the office of a spacewalking astronaut gives the impression of simplicity, but few beyond the astronauts, and those who train them, know what it really takes to get there. Extravehicular Activity (EVA) training is an intense process that utilizes NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) to develop a very specific skill set needed to safely construct and maintain the orbiting Intemational Space Station. To qualify for flight assignments, astronauts must demonstrate the ability to work safely and efficiently in the physically demandin g environment of the spacesuit, possess an acute ability to resolve tuiforeseen problems, and implement proper tool protocols to ensure no tools will be lost in space. Through the insights and the lessons learned by actual EVA astronauts and EVA instructors, this paper twill take you on a journey through an astronaut's earliest experiences working in the spacesuit. termed the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (ENI[J), in the underwater training environment of the NBL. This work details an actual Suit Qualification NBL training event, outlines the numerous challenges the astronauts face throughout their initial training, and the various ways they adapt their own abilities to overcome them. The goal of this paper is to give everyone a small glimpse into what it is really like to work in a spacesuit. Cop}^right ©2009 by United Space Alliance, LLC. Introduction translational and rotational characteristics of the ATA, Arnerican astronauts Dr. John "Danny" The successful completion of STS- Olivas and Nicole Stott, and European Space 128/17A, landing at Edwards Air Force Base in Agency (ESA) astronaut Dr. Christer Fuglesang. California on Friday, September 11, 2009, marks trained for 12 months prior to flight, using every the end of the 30 `b Space Shuttle mission in EVA training resource available (including support of the construction of the International sessions in NASA's Virtual Reality and Neutral Space Station (ISS). STS-128/17A performed Buoyancy Laboratories). Through this process, three EVAs; the mission's most significant task the crew, together with their EVA Task teas the removal and replacement of one of two instnictors, developed techniques to safely Anunonia Tank Assemblies (ATA), the supply nkanipulate the ATA durin g removal and tank for the External Active Thermal Control replacement, culminating in V the successful System (EATCS) and the most massive Orbital change-out of the P1 truss segment ammonia Replacement Unit (ORU) ever handled by tank, choreographed over the first two EVAs of astronauts in orbit. Weighed preflight at the the STS-128/17A mission. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) as part of the The success of this mission. however, preparations for the mission, the fitlly-loaded was not solely dependent on the flight-specific ATA was found to be 1850 lbs, making it a training over the previous 12 months V In reality, formidable object to control in the microgravity flight-specific training is primarily meant to vacuum of space. To better understand the focus on two areas. First, it develops and refines the methods for completing the specific tasks his or her first foray into the Neutral Buoyancy assigned to the mission, and second, it Laboratory in the first of the four ASCAN choreographs these individual tasks into an Program training sessions, referred to as Suit efficient timeline. EVA time is an expensive Qualification. coimnodity, and efficiency is a premium that This paper begins by examining the demands constant attention throughout the flight- importance of skills-based generic training in specitic training flow. But the fundamental general. It then continues with the detailed skills of the assigned crewmembers play as much discussion of the numerous aspects that a part in the efficiency of the timeline as the encompass the Suit Qualification training event. composition of the tasks themselves. from the body measurements taken to properly For this reason; there is significant fit the EMU, to the basic evaluation criteria used emphasis placed on generic training. A newly to assess each student. Through the accounts of selected Astronaut Candidate (ASCAN) astronauts ^aho hat-•e taken this journey, this undergoes rigorous training, broken into two paper will offer a glimpse into the initial training categories: basic generic training, referred to as that lays the foundation upon which the success the ASCAN Program, and advanced training, of STS-128/17A —and the other 101 U.S.-based termed the Skills Program. Through the EVAs in support of ISS construction — is built. progressive philosophy upon which these programs are designed, ASCANs attain a strong The Scope of ISS Construction foundation of the elementary skills that are essential to success in the EVA environment. The International Space Station has As one might expect, the programs been in orbit since STS-88/2A mated the first focus in part on the technical aspects of EVA U.S. module, the Node 1 Unity module, to the (i.e. improving mechanical aptitude, developing first Russian segment, the Functional Cargo the ability to proficiently maneuver the Block (FGB) Zarya (S^arnrise^ module, in Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU)). What December of 1998. Astronauts Jerry Ross and some might find surprising, however ; is the level James Newman conducted three EVAs totaling of emphasis placed on the cognitive aspects of 21 hours, 22 minutes in duration; to coimect the EVA. Dr. David Gt-'olf, an astronaut veteran of two modules' cabling and connectors ; setting the six ISS-construction spacewalks, including most cornerstone of the first international laboratory in recently three on STS-127/2JA, flown in July of space. 2009, often refers to the cognitive aspects as Since that tune, the effort to assemble "putting on your EVA brain." By this, Wolf the ISS has been monumental. Spacewalks have implies that; much like a chess match, EVA been conducted during joint missions (i.e. while success relies heavily on thinking ahead and the space shuttle is docked to ISS), as well as knowing the proper moves. Since EVA requires during steady-state Increment operations (i.e. both a physical and mental aptittide ; the ASCAN long duration spaceflight on the ISS) using both and Skills Programs must address both in a way the EMU and the Russian ORLAN spacesuit. that equally nurtures the talents and improves the NASA is joined by the Russian Space Agency deficiencies of each student; all the while (RSA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the maintaining an acceptable standard of Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the Japanese qualification for all. Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in As could be imagined, the joLUney an providing astronauts who have helped assemble ASCAN must go through to attain EVA ISS thus far. qualification is not a trivial one. Expectations The following are some of the numbers are high and each student is challenged on a associated with the construction of the ISS continuous basis. The programs maintain a level through STS-128i17A. (Note: At the time of of flexibility that allows the EVA Task publication, six missions still remain on the instructors to modify training as required to manifest to complete all assembly and outfitting) iiirther emphasize strengths, and to exploit individual weaknesses in an attempt to surmount • 133: Number ofISS-Construction EVAs those shortcomings; be they physical, mental or a 0 90: Joint Shuttle/ISS EVAs combination of both. 0 29: Increment ORLAN EVAs The journey; they say; begins with the 0 14: Increment EMLJ EVAs first step. For an ASCAN deli-•ins into the world of EVA, that journey's beginning is marked with 91: Number of astronauts who performed The team on the eround at NASA's least one EVA in support of ISS Mission Control Center spent the next 48 hours construction developing a plan to repair the damaged array; 0 65: NASA Astronauts including using only hardware already onboard 0 18: RSA Cosmonauts the ISS and V space shuttle to constrict a 0 4: ESA Astronauts "bandage" that could hold the damaged section o ^: CSA Astronauts of the solar array together. In the end, the 0 1: JAXA Astronaut ground team uplinked a procedure to the ISS, • 8 ^0 hours, 51 minutes: Time spent EVA in directing the crew to construct a set of support of ISS construction "cufflinks" for the solar array. The job of • 84°.ro: Percentage of ISS assembly complete installing the cufflinks then fell to veteran • 710,966: mass in orbit of ISS (in lbs) spacewalker Scott Parazynski and first-time flyer (fit%edlake, 2009 and NASA PAO STS-128 / 17A Doug Wheelock. by the numbers; 2009) Using the Orbiter Boom as an In the past 11 years representatives extension, the Space Station Robotic from seven separate countries have been directly Manipulator System (SSRMS) maneuvered involved in the assembly of the ISS in orbit; Parazynski to the damaged array; stretching overconung language barriers, technical nearly to its hill extent . Then, relying on his problems, launch slips and, at times, in-situ vast experience (Parazynski was a veteran of six preparation, to grow the ISS and keep it prior spacewalks) and his skills-based training. firnctional. Parazynski systematically installed three A considerable portion of the success cufflinks (Figure 1). Upon completion, the solar can be attributed to the flight-specific training array was successfully extended to its nonunal gained in the months leading up to a mission.
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