Astronauts - do they have weights in their boots for lunar exploration?

Question

what is the main componant of their back pack?
these are asked by my eight year old son

Answer 1

no the moon has it's own gravity i think it's 1/20th of earths gravity. there back backs are like scuba gear, for oxygen fluids etc
hope this helps the wee man

Answer 2

They don't need weights in their boots, as 1/6th gravity is more than enough to keep them down. The spacesuit and backpack is quite heavy too.

The backpack is properly known as the portable life support system (abbreviated to PLSS< pronounced 'pliss') and is an integral part of the spacesuit. The suit itself consists of several layers. There is an undergarment, through which a network of plastic tubes runs close to the astronaut's skin. These tubes have water pumped through them for cooling, and this water is one of the things contained in the PLSS. Then there is the pressure garment, which is basically rubber and is filled with oxygen, also carried in the PLSS. The helmet and gloves complete the suit. For lunar exploration they also wore a thick pair of boots to protect the feet of the suit from the abrasive moon dust.

So, the PLSS mostly contained water and oxygen, but also important was the communications equipment that allowed the astronauts to talk to each other and mission control, and this was also in the PLSS.

The PLSS was not brough back to Earth, although contrary to an earlier answer the PLSS was not left at the foot of the ladder before they went inside the LM, as there was no way to disconnect the PLSS and retain suit pressure. The astronauts entered the LM, repressurised the cabin, then disconnected the PLSS and connected their suits directly to the LM oxygen supply before depressurising again and throwing the PLSS, boots and other unwanted items out the door onto the surface. They then repressurised the cabin and removed their spacesuits.

Answer 3

No, there's no extra weight in the boot - although they're very heavy. They have 7 layers of protection against sharp rocks & micrometeors. The Astronaut would put on his pressure suit, and then slip the boots on over that.

The back pack held everything for the astronaut, or almost - it had breathing oxygen, water for drinking, even a juice bottle. It had a radio for communications (remember - no air on the moon meant they couldn't even shout to each other without a radio), and a heating/cooling system. NASA was very concerned about keeping the guys cool enough in the hot sun - a challenge when the outside surface temperatur was about 210 degrees.

At the end of their walks, they'd take off their packs, take off their boots, and leave them at the bottom of the lander, then go up the ladder with just the air inside their suits. Then, they'd close the door, and re-pressurize with the air inside the LM. Leaving those things on the moon lightened their load so they could blast off easier.

Answer 4

They don't need weights in their boots because the equipment is already very heavy.

The issue is that with 1/10th gravity it's still difficult to walk. On Earth, walking is essential a constantly controlled forward fall, with weaker gravity the fall is slower so your natural rhythm is all wrong! So the astronauts use a bouncy jump to get around.

The main component of the back back is life support, an oxygen supply and a series of pumps that allows cold or warm liquid (sorry I don't know if it's water or something else) around the suit to keep the astronauts warm or cool depending on the outside temperature.

I think the moon goes between +100 degrees (C) to -100 degrees depending on the sun conditions.

Oh, and there's a big battery in it too.

Answer 5

They don't have weights in their boots. Though the gravity on the moon is less than on the earth, there is still plenty of moon gravity to hold them down.

Their backpacks contain a lot of things:
Tanks of air for them to breath;
Water for them to drink;
A little air-conditioning unit to keep them from getting too hot or too cold;
A radio so they can talk to each other and to people on earth;
Batteries;
and other things.

Answer 6

No need for weights. Although moon gravity is only 1/6 of the earth's, there is no air so there is no negative buoyancy effect.

The backpack contains a life-support unit consisting of oxygen and rebreather filters, water reservoir and pressurisation unit.

Answer 7

It would make some sense to put weights into their shoes i suppose so that they don't bounce as much, but if that ever happens the weight will come from moon rocks as opposed to bringing weights from earth because its too expensive to lift extra weight off of earth with rockets....every single pound has to be for something useful...."paper weights" don't count in that category.

Answer 8

on all objects have mass gravity gives you weight 60kg on earth 20kg on moon

Answer 9

No, the Moon's gravity is strong enough.

Answer 10

They have big heavy balls in their space suits.