Study and Development of Materials and Techniques for Passive Thermal Control of Flexible Extravehicular Space Garments PDF Download

Author: David L. Richardson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Extravehicular space suits
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description
The program encompassed an analytical and experimental investigation of the application of passive thermal control techniques to extravehicular flexible space garments in 300 nautical mile earth orbits. Results indicate that passive thermal control by varying the absorptance and emittance of the outer surface of the garment is not possible when internal heat generated is in excess of 1500 Btu/hr. For all conditions, the suit's solar absorptance should be as small as possible and its emittance as large as possible. By controlling the conductance of the space suit wall, internal heating rates to 2000 Btu/hr are achievable when the space suit has an absorptance of 0.17 and an emittance of 0.85. A solar parasol with selected radiating properties on each side allows for higher internal heating rates. Experiments were made in a simulated noon orbit with a cylindrical section of a space suit which was first tested with an evacuated insulation and then with a helium-fillable insulation. The range of average conductance for these insulations was 0.3 to 4.0 Btu/sq ft hr F.A range of internal heat generation from 600 to 2100 Btu/hr was achieved when the evacuated insulation was filled with helium.