Reading Science! 7.9B: Accommodations for Space Explorations Earth and Space. The Space Suit Lexile 1320L. Name: Date:

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1 7.9: ccommodations for Space Explorations Reading Science! Name: ate: 1 2 The Space Suit Lexile 1320L Imagine being surrounded by the inky blackness of space. Instead of looking up to gaze at the moon, you look down staring at the magnificent blue planet that we call home. The swirling white clouds cover the green and brown land masses on Earth as you float weightlessly through the vast emptiness of the universe. lthough this may seem like fun, space can be an extremely dangerous and deadly place for humans. Earth provides us with air to breathe, gravity to hold us in place, and an atmosphere to protect us from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. n astronaut must take extreme caution when leaving the comfort and protection of Earth and entering the airless vacuum of space. redit: NS Without the protection of Earth s atmosphere, an unprotected astronaut would die almost instantly. The ultraviolet rays from the sun are so intense that they would cause severe skin damage in a matter of seconds. Without air in space, the astronaut would be gasping for a breath and the gases in the blood would separate and boil due to the lack of air pressure. ombarding micrometeoroids, tiny particles of dust or rock moving at high speeds, make it nearly impossible to move. How could an astronaut ever travel or work safely in space with all of these life threatening conditions? The answer is simple but complex. Scientists have developed a spacesuit for the astronauts to wear while working in space that mimics the conditions on Earth by providing protection from harmful UV rays and flying debris. This suit allows them to be safe and protected and to move around in space with little difficulty. Rice University ll Rights Reserved 1

2 7.9: ccommodations for Space Explorations The spacesuit is capable of maintaining an air pressure similar to that on Earth. This keeps the astronaut s body fluids, like blood, in a liquid state. Imagine that this suit is a protective balloon surrounding the astronaut while he/she is out in space. Providing the astronaut with air to breathe, the suit gets its supply of oxygen either through an umbilical cord from the space craft or from a backpack life support system that the astronauts wears. lso being designed to protect the astronaut from the extreme temperatures in space, the suit is layered with fabrics like Neoprene, Gore-Tex, and acron. The outer layer of the suit must be able to reflect the sun s light, protect against harmful radiation, and be tough enough to protect the astronaut from micrometeoroids. This outer layer is composed of a reflective layer like Mylar, (similar to those shiny helium balloons) or white fabric. The helmet on the spacesuit must be made of a durable plastic that has been tinted to shield the astronaut s eyes from the blinding light of the sun, but still allow him/her to see clearly enough to perform delicate maneuvers on fragile equipment. n astronaut s helmet also allows him/her to communicate with the spacecraft, with other astronauts, or with a team from Earth by using microphones and earphones that have been installed inside the helmet. When an astronaut has to leave the spacecraft to repair or make adjustments to equipment, there has to be footholds or straps for him/her to hold onto so that he/she is not in danger of floating off into space. Sometimes an astronaut will wear a special backpack called a Manned Maneuvering Unit. This unit allows the astronaut the freedom to float in space without using footholds or straps to attach himself/herself to the spacecraft or equipment. It works with gas powered rockets that propel the astronaut through space as he/she controls its movements and direction with a joystick like the ones used to play video games. Rice University ll Rights Reserved 2

3 7.9: ccommodations for Space Explorations 6 The spacesuit is an astronaut s life support when out in space away from the space craft. Not only does it provide protection from the sun s harmful ultraviolet rays, but it also protects from other types of deadly radiation and micrometeoroids. The space suit allows the astronaut to breathe by providing oxygen and by simulating an air pressure that is comparable to Earth s. It allows maneuvering and movement in space even without the help of gravity. Without the spacesuit, spacewalks would not be possible. Rice University ll Rights Reserved 3

4 7.9: ccommodations for Space Explorations 1 micrometeoroid is 3 The outer Mylar or white fabric layer of a spacesuit a small rock that burns up when it enters Earth s atmosphere. regulates the astronaut s body temperature. a collection of small particles of dust or rock moving at high speeds through space. allows the astronaut to be visible to the spacecraft as goes on spacewalks. a collection of small particles of dust or rock moving at slow speeds through space. a small rock that hits the space craft making it hard to steer. protects against the harmful radiation from the Sun and against micrometeoroids. allows the astronaut to communicate with the spacecraft, other astronauts, or a team from Earth. 2 onditions in space are dangerous and deadly because 4 n astronaut can keep from floating away in space by not many astronauts have been to space and therefore do not really know what it is like. there is no air to breathe, no air pressure to maintain liquid body fluids, and without gravity astronauts would float away. space is similar to Earth but without water and air. space is too far away to travel. weighing down with something heavy. making body movements similar to that of a swimmer. using footholds or straps to the spacecraft or equipment, or by using a Manned Maneuvering Unit to propel through space. making a continuous running motion like he/she is jogging in place. Rice University ll Rights Reserved 4

5 7.9: ccommodations for Space Explorations 5 n astronaut s helmet is made of acron and Neoprene. stainless steel. durable tinted plastic. Gore-Tex and aluminum. Rice University ll Rights Reserved