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What would you do if you were an astronaut on a spacewalk or mission and suddenly lost connection to your spaceship and floated in the endless expanse of space?Do you feel fear?Would you wish someone could save you?What are your chances of surviving?
It may sound like the plot of a science fiction movie, but in reality, it is also possible. Although there have been no accidents in which astronauts have gone missing in space, there have been some dangerous situations in the history of space exploration that have brought astronauts close to disaster.
In space, the work of astronauts has always been considered extremely dangerous, and it seems that their lives are being risked at every turn. Actually, it's not. Despite the extremely harsh environment in space, astronauts have multiple protections that allow them to work and live in space in relative safety.
When it comes to the work of astronauts, they can be roughly divided into two categories: inside the space capsule and outside the space capsule. Inside the cabin, they carry out various scientific experiments, technical tests, and daily management. Extravehicular activities, also known as spacewalks, require wearing special spacesuits to carry out some installation, maintenance, inspection and other work.
In general, it is relatively safe to move around in the cabin. Because the cabin environment is artificially simulated, it can mimic the temperature, air pressure, and oxygen content on Earth to make astronauts comfortable. In addition, in-cabin equipment and systems can ensure the safety and efficiency of astronauts.
For example, there are regenerative life support systems that recycle and purify air and water to provide astronauts with breathing and drinking water. There are also communication systems that allow astronauts to stay in touch with the ground, reporting progress or asking for help and guidance at any time. At the same time, there is also a medical system that monitors and evaluates the physical condition of astronauts, and detects and treats health problems in a timely manner.
Of course, in-cabin activities are not without their dangers. For example, unexpected events such as fires, gas leaks, equipment failures, etc., can occur, posing a threat to the lives and work of astronauts. Therefore, even in the capsule, astronauts need to be vigilant at all times, follow operating procedures, and be prepared for emergencies that may arise.
In contrast, extravehicular activities are more dangerous. Because there is a vacuum outside the cabin, there is no air, the temperature is extremely low, and there are risk factors such as radiation and debris. If astronauts are adrift in outer space without proper protection, they will not survive.
During spacewalks or missions, astronauts wear special spacesuits, fasten space safety ropes, and carry equipment such as oxygen cylinders and jetpacks to ensure their safety and mobility.
Once an astronaut loses connection to the spacecraft, they will float in space, unable to control their direction and speed. It is only possible to rely on a jetpack to change attitude, but this must have a stable fulcrum.
If the spacesuit is damaged or the oxygen is depleted, the astronaut faces a threat of death. In a vacuum, fluids in the body quickly evaporate and freeze, and the brain loses oxygen within seconds, which can be affected by the difference in air pressure, leading to heart paralysis.
If the bodies of astronauts are not **, they will float forever in space or, over time, burn up due to atmospheric resistance to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.
In order to cope with various emergencies in the universe, there are many high-tech devices hidden in the spacesuit, which can allow astronauts to work safely and comfortably in space.
First, it is equipped with an air circulation system that provides the astronauts with fresh oxygen while excluding carbon dioxide and water vapor. The system consists of an oxygen tank, a fan, a heat exchanger, and a lithium hydroxide tank.
The oxygen tank provides pure oxygen, a fan feeds oxygen into the helmet, a heat exchanger regulates the oxygen temperature, and a lithium hydroxide tank removes carbon dioxide and water vapor, ensuring that astronauts are not starved of oxygen or poisoned.
Secondly, the spacesuit is also equipped with a temperature regulation system to help the astronauts cope with extreme temperature differences. In space, temperatures can reach as high as 120 degrees Celsius in direct sunlight and as low as -160 degrees Celsius in shadows.
The outer layer of the spacesuit is coated with a reflective coating to prevent overheating, while the inner layer of liquid cooling system circulates the liquid through water pipes, expelling excess heat from the astronauts and ensuring that they are not affected by extreme heat or cold.
In addition, the spacesuit also has a communication system that allows astronauts to communicate with other astronauts on the ground. The system consists of a radio transmitter receiver, microphone and headphones.
The transmitter receiver is placed in the astronaut's chest bag backpack and is responsible for signal transmission, while the microphone and headset are mounted inside the helmet to allow the astronaut to speak and hear the sound before they feel alone or out of touch.
Finally, the protective system of the spacesuit protects the astronaut from the dangers of space. It includes multiple layers of fabric, a hard-shell helmet, and a jet bag. Multi-layer fabrics are made of materials such as neoprene, polyester and aramid to prevent astronauts from being harmed by space debris, micrometeoroids and radiation.
The hard-shell helmet is made of clear plastic or polycarbonate to protect the head and has features such as a reflective visor, anti-fog window and lights to ensure clear vision for astronauts. The jet pack contains nitrogen thrusters, joysticks, and indicators to allow astronauts to move freely through space, and if separated from the spacecraft or space station, to help them return, ensuring they are not injured or lost.
So, which astronauts have encountered dangers during extravehicular operations in history, and how did they resolve them?
The first thrilling moment occurred in 1965, when Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first cosmonaut in human history to conduct a spacewalk. He stepped out of the Ascend 2 spacecraft and floated in space for 12 minutes.
However, as he prepares to return to the ship, he finds that the spacesuit is inflated in a vacuum, making it difficult for him to squeeze into the narrow hatch. In order to survive, he had to take the risk of reducing the pressure on the spacesuit and returned to the spaceship with difficulty. This spacewalk was full of dangers and almost became a tragedy in the history of human space.
The second thrilling moment occurred in 1984, when American astronaut Bruce McCandillis performed a spacewalk on the space shuttle Challenger.
Dressed in a jet spacesuit without a safety rope, he can move freely through space. The mission was to capture a runaway satellite, but as he approached, he found that the jet pack was running out of fuel to control speed and direction, and could only watch the satellite fly away.
He tried to change his posture by swinging his arms, but it didn't work well. In the end, he relied on the help of the space shuttle commander to be successfully rescued. This spacewalk almost became a spectacle in human space history.
The third thrilling moment occurred in 2013, when Italian astronaut Luca Palmitano made a spacewalk on the International Space Station.
While wearing an American spacesuit, the spacesuit malfunctioned, causing a large amount of water to rush into the helmet. The water covered his nose, eyes, and ears, making him unable to hear, see, and breathe. He quickly decided to return to the airlock, but was disoriented and had to rely on his instincts and the help of his companions to make a difficult return to the station. This spacewalk was full of dangers and almost became a tragedy in the history of human space.
Space exploration is a challenging mission, and astronauts are pushing the boundaries and innovating technology to survive and work in extreme environments.
Their stories inspire us to understand that in space, even in the face of the most extreme challenges, human ingenuity and courage can overcome the hostile environment to some extent.
Therefore, when we think about what astronauts may face if they accidentally fall into outer space, we should also respect the enormous risks they face and the tireless efforts and sacrifices they have made for human space exploration. Their courage and perseverance fill us with awe of the unknown world, and also inspire us to continue to move forward and explore the unknown of the wider universe.
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