Why do astronauts wear pressurised suits?, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• Astronauts wear pressurized suits to protect against the vacuum of space, extreme temperatures, radiation, and space debris.
• EVA suits (extra-vehicular activity) are used for work outside spacecraft, weighing 100-130 kg with 12-14 layers.
• IVA suits (intra-vehicular activity) are worn inside spacecraft, with pressure suits offering full-body pressurization.
• The Soyuz 11 mission disaster in 1971, where three cosmonauts died due to sudden loss of cabin pressure, led to mandatory IVA suits during ascent and descent.
• India's Gaganyaan mission will use the Russian Sokol KV2 suit, consisting of inner and outer layers for airtightness and structural support.

Detailed Insights:

• The absence of atmospheric pressure in space causes gases to expand rapidly in the body, leading to loss of consciousness and death.
• EVA suits act as personal spacecraft, protecting astronauts from the harsh space environment during activities outside the spacecraft.
• IVA suits include flight suits for fire resistance and pressure suits for protection against low pressure, oxygen supply, and thermal regulation.
• The Sokol KV2 suit, used in Gaganyaan, has been used in over 128 Soyuz crewed missions, highlighting international collaboration in space exploration.
• The Soyuz 11 tragedy underscored the critical need for safety measures during dynamic phases of spaceflight like ascent and descent.
• Atmospheric pressure on Earth presses down on our bodies with about 20 tonnes of force, which we don't feel because our bodies push back with equal force.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Atmospheric Pressure: The force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere on a surface.
• Ebullism: The formation of bubbles in bodily fluids due to reduced environmental pressure.
• Hypoxia: A condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply.