Russian spacesuit manufacturer NPO Zvezda is developing a cosmonaut safety aid for use during spacewalks. The miniature, independent manoeuvring unit, called USK, is similar to NASA's Safer unit, which has been worn operationally during spacewalks from the Space Shuttle.
The first Safer was tested by astronauts on mission STS64 Discovery in September 1994.
The manoeuvring unit would be used if a spacewalker's tether broke or came loose, leaving the astronaut stranded. The frame-like, 40kg (90lb) USK device fits around the backpack of the Orlan spacewalking suit, which the Russians have been using since 1970. The USK, which can be used for up to 8h, is equipped with two sets of eight compressed air thrusters, with automatic attitude control provided by an autonomous computer system.
Zvezda is testing the new unit and expects to fly it in space within a year. USK is to be fitted on all new Orlan suits, which can be resupplied and adapted to the size of any cosmonaut in orbit. The gas canisters in Orlan can be used up to 100 times. Because of its rigid construction, the pressure inside the Russian suit is lower than in the NASA suits, allowing greater freedom of movement and reduced preparation time as no pre-breathing is necessary.
The Orlan suits will be modified for work on the International Space Station (ISS), where the US suits will also be used. Communications and airlock connections will be standardised so that the US and Russian suits are compatible with equipment on the station.
Zvezda is also providing the toilet for the ISS, based on the device which was used on Mir. The Russian design is preferred by US and Russian astronauts.
• The Mir space station has been opened for sponsorship and advertising through an agreement signed between MirCorp and sponsorship group GPC International. Commercial possibilities range from the flight of products and materials on board Mir to corporate sponsorship of one of Mir's modules. Advertising and promotion rights will cost from $100,000 to $9 million a year for one of Mir's modules.
MirCorp has already funded two Progress tanker missions, a manned Soyuz TM expedition and a spacewalk outside Mir, and the company plans to launch the first "citizen explorer", Dennis Tito, to Mir in April 2001.
Source: Flight International
