2006-07-26 08:00:07 · 4 answers · asked by Asterick E 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
It is a concern, but there are procedures to handle it. The space shuttle maintains an Earth-like atmosphere internally, 101 kilopascals (14.7 PSI), 21% oxygen, 79% nitrogen. However, the space suits operate at a much lower pressure, because high pressures would make them too stiff. The normal operating pressure of the space shuttle suits is 28 kilopascals (4.0 PSI) of pure oxygen, and they have a fail point of 73 kilopascals (10.6 PSI).
It takes about 12 hours for the astronauts to prepare themselves for the transition to low-pressure oxygen, during part of which time the space shuttle's air mix is changed and pressure lowered. Just before going out, the astronauts spend up to 75 minutes breathing pure oxygen to help flush the nitrogen from their blood.
2006-07-26 15:02:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Astronauts/cosmonauts CAN indeed suffer decompression sickness if they undergo significant pressure changes in their environment. DCS (the bends) aren't caused by pressure so much as a differential in pressure between what they experienced when their blood nitrogen level was established and a lower pressure experienced if, say their spacecraft were holed by a meteoroid. Of course, if their craft were to be so holed, they'd have more important things to worry about than the bends . . .
2006-07-26 09:33:27 · answer #2 · answered by Bob G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u shouldnt compare them together divers suffer from high pressure the cabine must be pressurized to eqaul the outer pressure
astraunauts case the pressure is normal to them
2006-07-26 09:14:13 · answer #3 · answered by koki83 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because the capsule is pressurized to normal values.
2006-07-26 08:03:46 · answer #4 · answered by wildbill05733 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋