Space walks
What Are Space Walks And What Do They Involve?
The term "space walk" is formly known as EVA (Extravehicular Activity). This involves an astronaut to work in space for up to seven hours. An astronaut who is preparing for a "space walk" must wear a pressure suit because there is virtually no air pressure at 200 miles altitude. The astronaut must also have an oxygen supply for breathing. One way that the astronaut stays connected to the spacecraft is through an umbilical hose, which supplies him with new oxygen, these hoses can also have radio wires so that the astronaut can communicate with the people inside the craft. Space walks involve the astronauts to research and collect specimens, and to repair the craft.
Who was the first person to perform a space walk?
Soviet cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov made the first space walk during the Voskhod II mission on March 18, 1965. He performed this above Siberia.
Who was the first woman to perform a space walk?
The first woman to perform a space walk was Soviet cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya during the Soyuz T-12 mission in July 1984.
Space Wear
What Do Astronauts Wear In Space?
Astronauts choose what they wear in space, most of the clothing that they bring onto the space station however gets burned along with the garbage when the Shuttle enters Earth's atmosphere. Inside the space station they wear what normal people wear, polo shirts, sweaters, shorts, t-shirts, overalls, and socks. However, when they are working outside in space, they wear space suits.
Space suits protect astronauts from micrometeorites that may hit them when they are space walking, protect the astronauts from rapidly changing temperatures, the suit itself is also pressurized to make sure the astronauts blood circulates around the body and not just the bottom of the body. It is also used to help protect the astronauts from radiation (solar and infrared), and the lack of oxygen in space.
Astronauts and crew members get shorts and t-shirt for exercise every three days (exercise in space is important to keep a good body temperature). Their shirts and pants for work are changed every 10 days. Undergarments are given daily.