I have read that astronauts use the diapers that everone has heard about only on take off and landing becuase these are crucial times that the astronauts can't aford to be away from their important duties in taking off and landing the spacecraft....
Well, takeoff and landing does not take that long.....can't they just "hold it" if neccesary???
2007-02-09 02:40:45 · 5 answers · asked by intruudir 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Actually, take off procedures take several hours...especially if there is a hold in the countdown, as there often is.
2007-02-09 03:57:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes far longer than you think. The astronauts have a very long list of procedures to complete that takes several hours. If they just up and left, the mission would fail. Also, have you ever tried to go number 1 in zero gravity? Now you might understand why they prefer diapers.
2007-02-09 02:45:59 · answer #2 · answered by HenryJonesJr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Also, astronauts performing EVA are out there for hours at a time. They can't just come back in and take a potty break. It takes a long time to get in and out of those space suits.
2007-02-09 09:15:54 · answer #3 · answered by Arkalius 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alan Shepard couldn't "hold it" on the very first Mercury mission, because the countdown took too long. Since then... diapers.
2007-02-09 04:22:21 · answer #4 · answered by tlbs101 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the time before they break away from the earth's gravitational pull isn't that short.
and have you ever had 6Gs of force acting on you? it's kinda hard to "hold it"
and also.. why tatke that risk?
just give them diapers instead of taking the risk of them soiling their entire suit.
2007-02-09 02:46:18 · answer #5 · answered by Michael Dino C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋