What is the significance of human commercial spacewalks
2024-09-25
Earlier this month, the first commercial spacewalk conducted by non professional astronauts was successful, attracting global attention. Does this event have any special significance for the process of human exploration of space? An article published on the website of Nature in the UK believes that this success has laid the foundation for further exploration of the boundaries of space travel by humans; The ability of ordinary people to complete spacewalks means that there are more options for repairing scientific equipment in space. In addition, commercial manned spaceflight also helps to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of such flights on human health. Yang Yuguang, Chairman of the Space Transport Committee of the International Astronautical Federation, said in an interview with Science and Technology Daily that "this spacewalk mission is not perfect, and there is still a lot of room for improvement in the spacesuits. However, the astronauts have truly undergone the test of the space radiation belt, providing important reference for human future space exploration." After the launch on September 10th, SpaceX's "Polaris Dawn" mission orbiting the Earth set multiple records: a manned "Dragon" spacecraft reached an altitude of 1400 kilometers from Earth a few hours after takeoff. This altitude is more than three times the height of the International Space Station from Earth, and it is also the farthest orbit for humans from Earth since NASA's Apollo mission. On September 12th, two crew members on board the spacecraft - American entrepreneur Jared Isaacs and SpaceX engineer Gillis - completed their first commercial spacewalk (EVA). However, in previous spacewalk missions, astronauts had to float a certain distance out of the International Space Station, and as long as Isaacs and Gillis left the spacecraft, they were considered to have conducted a spacewalk. According to the SpaceX website, during the spacewalk mission, Isaac opened the hatch and for the first time, all four astronauts were simultaneously exposed to the space environment. Isaac Mann and Gillis respectively left the spacecraft and conducted a series of mobility demonstrations to test the performance of the spacesuit in the vacuum environment of space. Although SpaceX's spacesuit is very beautiful, it is not a true EVA spacesuit. It lacks independent environmental control and life support systems Yang Yuguang explained that currently, this set of spacesuits is only connected to the cabin facilities through an "umbilical cord", which prevents astronauts from leaving the cabin for a long time. Whether in orbit or on the surface of other planets, astronauts can only truly "stroll" in space by wearing spacesuits with independent environmental control and life support systems. In addition, due to the lack of liquid cooling suits, the heat dissipation capacity of this spacesuit is limited, making it difficult to meet the heat dissipation needs of astronauts' long-term extravehicular activities. "This spacesuit is more suitable for space tourism." "Space maintenance" has more options. "Nature" believes that allowing ordinary people to complete spacewalks means that there are more choices for repairing scientific equipment in space. In 2022, Isaac Mann proposed to NASA to use SpaceX's manned mission to re launch the Hubble Space Telescope into higher orbit to extend its lifespan. The Hubble Telescope has been flying in space for 34 years, gradually descending its orbit and eventually reaching the Earth's atmosphere before burning up completely. NASA rejected the proposal at the time, citing potential catastrophic risks to the Hubble Telescope and its crew. Laura Fauchik, Executive Director of Astralytical, a US space consulting firm, said that with the success of this spacewalk, the possibility of commercial companies performing such extremely difficult space operations is increasing, which may convince NASA. However, "to carry out such missions, astronauts definitely cannot wear the SpaceX spacesuit, they must be equipped with NASA's bulky but more professional spacesuits," Yang Yuguang reminded. While carrying out the first commercial spacewalk mission, 36 scientific experiments on the "Dragon" spacecraft are also quietly underway to gain a better understanding of space radiation. Many of these experiments are dedicated to studying the impact of space flight on human health. Yang Yuguang said, "Whether astronauts go to the moon or Mars, they will face space radiation, and radiation protection is a key challenge. Previously, the Apollo mission team also crossed the Van Allen radiation belt, but the speed was very fast. The astronauts who participated in this mission were not only in the space radiation belt, but also stayed for a period of time. The relevant data will provide important references for future space exploration activities." Nature reported that a research team will analyze DNA, RNA, and other biological samples collected from mission members to study the effects of exposure to space radiation on their bodies. In 2021, during the execution of SpaceX's nationwide orbital mission "Enlightenment 4", Isaac Mann participated in the research of "Space Organization and Medical Atlas", which will provide scientists with more information based on different data obtained by the same person. The team led by sports scientist Lee Gabel, who studies the effects of microgravity on bone health at the University of Calgary in Canada, will conduct high-resolution X-ray imaging of the wrists and ankles of mission members after they return to Earth to measure the impact of microgravity on their bone structure during mission execution. Several studies will further understand the neuro ocular syndrome (SANS) associated with spaceflight through this mission. This disease can cause permanent changes or even damage to astronauts' vision. Scientists suspect that SANS is related to the accumulation of fluid pressure in the eye. Each member of the mission crew wears "smart" contact lenses that can record the fluid pressure in their eyes. Although the "North Star Dawn" mission team has returned to Earth, the pace of human exploration of space will not stop. (New Society)
Edit：Lubaikang Responsible editor：Chenze
Source：stdaily.com
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