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Space Station Freedom Airlock/Extravehicular Activity Operations
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English
Abstract
The Space Station Freedom Airlock is a pressurized flight element slated for launch in mid-1997. The Airlock plays an integral part in space station procedures and is responsible for providing the resources and equipment for a variety of unique operations. These operations include nominal extravehicular activity (EVA) egress and ingress, pre-breathe procedures, suit servicing, large Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) pass-through operations, hyperbaric treatments and routine airlock maintenance. Not only are some of these scenarios quite complex, but they also require the Airlock to operate at a wide range of internal pressures and temperatures. This paper discusses the general airlock configuration, and in more detail, the various operational scenarios and their impact on the airlock design. The Airlock is composed of two chambers: the equipment lock (EL) and the crewlock (CL). Both chambers have a significant role in efficiently accommodating the airlock outfitting hardware and distributed system interfaces, as well as accomplishing the required operational procedures. Scenarios outlined in this paper are based on the airlock preliminary design configuration.
Authors
Citation
Buck, C., "Space Station Freedom Airlock/Extravehicular Activity Operations," SAE Technical Paper 901396, 1990, https://doi.org/10.4271/901396.Also In
References
- “Space Station Manned Systems Integration Standard,” 4 18 December 1986
- “Space Station Projects Description and Requirements Document,” JSC 31000 3 1 November 1989
- “Requirements of an In-Flight Crew Health Care System (CHeCS) for Space Station,” JSC 31013 24 July 1989
- Service and Performance Checkout Unit (SPCU) Configuration Item Specification SP-M-085 April 1990
- Switzer K. L. “Space Station Freedom Airlock Outfitting to Support EVA,” MDSSC June 1990