I thought it was 1/50th of an inch which is only .020". Isn't that kind of thin? Seems like no protection from radiation and micrometeroid impacts doesn't it?
2007-06-02 01:57:58 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It is kind of thin if you assume the LM was constructed like an aluminium can with just a flimsy skin bent to the right shape. It wasn't. It had multiple skins.
The inside skin was the pressure skin, and that was very thin but was supported by metal ribs to give the shape rigidity. To keep the astronauts from damaging it, most of it was covered by storage lockers and instrument panels, so the astronauts never actually touched the skin itself. There was then an aouter skin, itself also very thin, attached to these ribs. Between the inner and outer skins were layers of aluminised myalr, which served for thermal and micrometeorite protection (contrary to popular belief, the best protection against projectiles like micrometeorites is not one thick layer but several thin ones, as the series of impacts serves to spread the force quickly by effectively slowing the projectile in increments as it strikes each layer).
Radiation protection does not require thick layers of material, especially the radiation encountered in space. This is particle radiation such as high energy protons and electrons, and the best shielding against those is plastics and light metals like aluminium, which just happen to be what the Lm was made from. Remember that radiation protection is also offered by the stuff bolted on the walls inside the LM, and there was plenty of that.
So, the popular statement that the LM was like a tent made of tinfoil is accurate but misleading, as this is adequate and the design of the LM dealt with the fragility in other ways.
2007-06-02 02:39:46 · answer #1 · answered by Jason T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The LM skin was indeed very thin in places. Not all places were as thin though. But you are right, it was not much protection. The CM was much tougher. It had to be to survive reentry. And it provided far more radiation shielding.
2007-06-02 02:21:13 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gene Kranz, head of mission control, said, "the walls of the LM were the thickness of two sheets of aluminum foil"
2015-06-26 06:55:17 · answer #3 · answered by rich b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The material used to coat the Lem was like aluminum foil. It did fine against radiation, but I am not sure about micro meteors or if they were even a problem.
2007-06-02 02:11:49 · answer #4 · answered by chase 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is just enough but at that time they had the air pressure at 3.5 psi and pure oxygen.
2007-06-02 03:14:56 · answer #5 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋