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The secret weapon of space walking: How do astronauts breathe freely on the moon?
In the vast space, astronauts not only need to face sub-zero temperatures and strong radiation, but also have to ensure that their life support systems are reliable. How to keep breathing freely during spacewalks on the moon became an urgent problem, and the portable life support system (PLSS) came into being.
PLSS is a device that attaches to astronauts' space suits, allowing them to conduct activities in outer space without relying on the spacecraft's life support systems.
PLSS is usually carried like a backpack and performs a variety of important functions, including regulating the pressure inside the space suit, providing breathable oxygen, removing carbon dioxide and other impurities, and providing cooling for astronauts, ensuring they can survive in harsh environments. maintain physical strength and energy in an environment. The system is designed with the basic needs of astronauts in mind, allowing them to move freely in outer space and reducing the need to rely on large spacecraft.
PLSS in Apollo missions
The portable life support system used during the Apollo moon landing missions used lithium cyanide to remove carbon dioxide from breathing air and circulated water through liquid cooling suits to reject excess heat and moisture into space. The water in this process will turn into ice crystals, which not only ensures the life support of astronauts but also saves resources.
PLSS is also equipped with radio transmitters and antennas to send information to the earth through the spacecraft communication system.
In the early stages of Apollo mission, the space stroll time limit for space on the surface of the moon was four hours, which was caused by the restrictions on the supply of oxygen and water. As the task progresses, this time is extended and the system capacity is increased to adapt to longer activities on the moon surface.
PLSS of the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station
The life support system used by astronauts and astronauts and international space stations also follows similar principles. These systems not only provide basic oxygen supply, but also process the exhaust gases to ensure safety in microgravity environments. These systems use expensive and advanced equipment and rely on liquid cooling and ventilated suits for effective thermal management.The operating pressure of the space suit is maintained at 4.3 psi during spacewalks, which is one-third of Earth's atmospheric pressure.
As technology continues to develop, future PLSS may integrate new technologies, such as pressure swing adsorption (PSA), which can more effectively separate carbon dioxide from gas, significantly reducing the size and weight of the equipment, while Improves the convenience of use.
Future Possibilities
PLSS, which supports spacewalks, is one of the key technologies for astronauts' survival. As space exploration deepens, this technology will continue to improve. Future space missions may require more self-sufficient life support systems to enable long-term exploration on alien planets. This makes people wonder: On the wonderful road of space exploration, can only technological progress provide better protection and support for astronauts?
